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About 300 police officers and gendarmes were deployed to the streets today ahead of the annual Catholic pilgrimage this weekend, a major religious event which draws thousands of worshippers to the town each year. Béatrice Lagarde, the local prefect, said: “The terrorist threat remains high in France. And even though Lourdes has never been targeted by radical Islamists, a terrorist attack is a possibility we cannot ignore.”

GETTY Catholic pilgrims travelling to Lourdes face heightened security in face of the terror threat

More than 25,000 Catholic pilgrims were expected to pour into the south-western French town over the weekend to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, which is when, according to Catholic beliefs, Jesus’ mother Mary ascended into heaven. Operation Sentinel will see 30 elite soldiers perform round-the-clock anti-terrorism patrols after the January 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris.

A terrorist attack is a possibility we cannot ignore Local prefect, Béatrice Lagarde

Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal experts have also been deployed to the religious site to help prevent possible terrorist attacks and boost security. The Lourdes sanctuary, which is currently surrounded by police, will be accessible only through three gates instead of 12, and pilgrims will be subject to security checks and bag searches upon entering the secured site.

GETTY About 300 police officers and gendarmes were deployed to the streets today

Police in Lourdes will also be conducting widespread aerial surveillance over the city to watch the comings and goings of pilgrims and track any suspicious behaviour. Roads have been closed to allow worshippers to reach the site safely, and anti-vehicle barriers such as concrete blocks have been installed across the town in a bid to prevent car-ramming attacks.

GETTY More than 25,000 Catholics are expected to take part in the pilgrimage