Travellers on the Eurostar, Le Shuttle, and cross-channel ferries can expect heightened security following Wednesday’s attack on the Charlie Hobdo magazine in Paris.
Although the UK has not made any change to its current terror threat of ‘severe’, the Government has confirmed that security will be tightened in ports that act as a border with France.
These include the port of Calais and border stations for Eurostar and Le Shuttle. Armed patrols have also been stepped up at St Pancras International station, the Eurostar terminal in London.
Travellers will see a visible extra security presence both at British and French ports and stations and will be subject to subject to extra checks.
The move is in response to the shooting at the head office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, which left 12 dead and 11 injured.
The gunmen remain at large, although latest reports say they have taken a hostage in a building close to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Home Secretary Theresa May told journalists: "The cowardly attacks that took place in Paris have shocked and sickened people in the UK and around the world.
"In deliberately targeting and murdering journalists, the terrorists were attacking freedom and democracy. And in murdering police officers, they attacked the people who risk their own safety every day to protect us and our way of life."
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is warning UK visitors to ‘take extra care at this time and follow the security advice issued by the French authorities’.
Troops have been deployed in high risk locations across Paris following the murders.
In a second incident on Thursday, not thought to be related, a policewoman was shot dead in the town of Montrouge, south of the French capital.
