THIS is the moment German anti-terror cops smashed an ISIS-inspired knife attack on the Berlin half-marathon just hours before runners took their starting positions.

The last-ditch swoop saw armed police arrest six men between 18 and 21 - four of whom are reported to have links to twisted Christmas market attacker Anis Amri.

7 This is the moment a terror suspect was hauled away in cuffs as anti-terror cops smashed a plot to attach the Berlin half-marathon Credit: AP:Associated Press

German newspaper Die Welt said the main suspect was known to Amri - who killed 12 in December 2016 - and had planned to stab to death spectators and runners at the half marathon.

He was arrested in possession of two knives which had been sharpened, the report said.

Berlin police said the arrested men "may have been involved in the preparation of a crime in connection with this event" but did not elaborate on details in the Die Welt report.

Amri's attack in Berlin in 2016 had prompted German lawmakers to call for tougher security measures.

7 Police at the Berlin half marathon today. Officers swooped on four men including a main suspect believed to be on his way to carry out a knife attack on spectators and runners Credit: Alamy Live News

7 The four men are said to be linked to Anis Amri, pictured, the Berlin market attacker who killed 12 Credit: Reuters

7 Amri mowed down pedestrians strolling through the Berlin Christmas market in December 2016 Credit: AFP or licensors

7 Runners at the half marathon today. The main suspect was reportedly arrested with two sharpened knives Credit: Alamy Live News

7 The sick plot evokes chilling memories of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing Credit: Getty Images

7 Three people were killed and more than 260 injured on April 15 when the twin bombs ripped through crowds close to the finishing line Credit: AP:Associated Press

MOST READ IN NEWS SKIN DEEP Skin rash IS Covid symptom, experts warn - the 8 different types revealed Latest RALLYING CRY PM says 'pull together' and warns 'your cough could be someone's death knell' Exclusive PIERS PRESSURE Couple wiped out village's internet for 18 MONTHS to watch Piers on £30 TV MASS EVACUATION Thousands forced to leave mega caravan park as Covid lockdown rules kick in Exclusive OWN GOAL Paul Scholes breaches lockdown AGAIN by hosting footie tournament in his garden COV-ER & OUT Lockdown-free Sweden 'on brink of BEATING Covid after achieving herd immunity'

No major Islamist militant attack has been carried out in Germany since.

Earlier on Sunday, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said the government would do everything possible to protect citizens, but added: "We have again experienced that ... absolute security is unfortunately not possible."

Seehofer was speaking in Muenster, where a man drove a camper van into a group of people sitting outside a restaurant on Saturday, killing two of them before shooting himself dead.

Authorities have said the attacker was a 48-year-old German citizen with mental health problems and that there was no indication of an Islamist militant connection.