Police in the UK are upping security at Christmas markets after the Berlin terrorist attack that killed at least 12 people and injured a further 48.

London’s Scotland Yard said it will review security arrangements for Christmas and New Year events in light of the Breitscheidplatz lorry crash and the Russian ambassador’s death in Ankara.

Greater Manchester Police, meanwhile, said it is increasing patrols at many of its popular Christmas markets and adding extra protection at 10 market sites during this festive season.

The force’s assistant chief constable Debbie Ford said the increase was in line with Britain’s “national response” and that there was no intelligence suggesting an imminent attack in Greater Manchester.

The country’s terror threat has long been judged to be “severe”, meaning an attack is highly likely.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said it has “detailed plans for protecting public events over the Christmas and New Year period”.

The Met said: “These already recognise that the threat level is at ‘severe’, meaning an attack is highly likely, and have considered a range of threats, including the use of large vehicles.

“As a matter of routine, as a precaution, we review our plans after attacks overseas, and we are doing so at present following the awful incidents in Berlin and Ankara last night.”

Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Show all 18 1 /18 Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Several people have been killed after a lorry drove into crowds at a Christmas market in Berlin REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch Berlin Christmas market lorry attack 'At least nine' people have been killed and more than 50 injured. AP Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Emergency Services rush a Berlin market victim to an ambulance Associated Press Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Police cordoned off the square at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church following the incident REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Rescue workers inspect the lorry that crashed into a Christmas market close to the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church in Berlin EPA Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Emergency crews inspect the lorry that ploughed into a Berlin Christmas market, killing at least nine people AFP Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Fire crews attend the scene of the attack AFP/Getty Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Armed police secure the site of a lorry attack at a Christmas market in Berlin REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Crushed debris is visible beneath the wheels of the vehicle REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack An injured man is pushed to an ambulance REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Medics attend an injured person after the lorry attack which killed at least nine and injured more than 50 people AFP/Getty Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Firefighters examine the lorry which was rammed into a Berlin Christmas market REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack A person is carried into an ambulance REUTERS Berlin Christmas market lorry attack View of the lorry that crashed into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing at least nine and injuring at least 50 people AFP/Getty Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Rescue workers push a person on a stretcher to an ambulance Getty Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Firefighters assess the damage after the lorry rammed the Christmas market, killing 'at least nine', and injuring more than 50 people AP Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Firefighters stand beside a toppled Christmas tree at the site of the suspected terrorist attack in a Berlin Christmas market AP Berlin Christmas market lorry attack Damaged stalls at the scene of the incident at a Berlin Christmas market where at least nine people have been killed EPA

Huge numbers of people will be in London around the festive period as shoppers flock to the capital for the post-Christmas sales, while more than 100,000 revellers are expected to attend the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Police have stepped up patrols at Christmas markets in the wake of the events in Berlin.

Greater Manchester Police said they had strengthened their presence at the markets, which have almost 350 stalls spread across 10 sites in the city.

Ms Ford said: “Greater Manchester Police already has a visible policing operation in place around the Christmas markets, in the city centre, and in other key areas across Greater Manchester in the run-up to Christmas.

“We will be working in line with the national response and have strengthened our policing presence at the Manchester Christmas Markets and stepped up visible patrols, to ensure that people feel safe to go about their daily lives.

“I would like to stress at this point that there is absolutely no information or intelligence suggesting any attack is imminent in Greater Manchester.

“If you do have any concerns at all don’t hesitate to get in touch with police.”

In Birmingham earlier this month, new reinforced temporary road-block barriers were installed at both the main routes leading to the city’s popular Christmas market.

Last week, a senior UK terrorism official in the city said an attack in Europe around Christmas time had been expected, but there had been no specific intelligence of any plot.

The barriers were put up in Colmore Row and Bennetts Hill to beef up security for the busy city centre market, which draws thousands of seasonal shoppers.

It is estimated that about 5.5 million people will visit the market before it closes on 29 December.

Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy said: “Birmingham is united with Berlin today and our thoughts and sympathies are with victims, their families and everyone affected by last night's attack.”

He added that the council had written to Berlin’s mayor Michael Müller to express sympathy and solidarity.

A book of condolence has been opened in the Library of Birmingham and the library is being lit up in the colours of the German flag on Tuesday evening.