Armed police to guard Britain's largest Pride event after Islamist horror in Berlin

Armed police will be deployed at Britain's largest Pride festival after Saturday night's horror attack in Berlin.

On Saturday, Berlin was rocked by a van and stabbing attack which left one person dead and injured at least 29 others.

The suspect, named as Abdul Ballout, was shot dead by German police after a 24-hour manhunt.

He was said to have links to Isis and was suspected of first ramming his van into Pride attendees before jumping out of the van and stabbing others with a machete.

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Wes Streeting went onto condemn the "absolutely horrific" attack and said it showed why Pride events were still necessary.

The openly-gay Defence Secretary told Sky News hate crimes were on the rise, warning that there were many people who "don't accept diversity and difference in our society" - though stopped short of mentioning the attacker's motivation in Berlin.

Now Brighton and Hove Pride, which brings an estimated 500,000 people to the city, has enlisted armed officers from Sussex Police to ensure the safety of attendees.

A spokesman for the force reassured Brighton locals and visitors "safety remains our top priority".

"We will be working tirelessly this week and throughout the weekend, building on the extensive planning that has taken place over many months with event organisers, Brighton and Hove City Council and other partners, to keep everyone safe and ensure an effective policing operation is in place," the spokesman added.

"Uniformed policing, plain-clothed officers and specialist teams including armed officers will be deployed across the city, which all form part of our comprehensive plans for policing this event."

The leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, said on social media she was "deeply saddened" by the Berlin Pride attack - and like the Defence Secretary, failed to mention Islamism.

"We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community and, as we look forward to Brighton and Hove Pride this weekend, we want to reassure all those attending that we are working closely with Brighton and Hove Pride, Sussex Police and our other partners to keep everyone safe," she said.

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"We look forward to Pride being a celebration of the diversity, joy and, above all, the unity of our community."

Sussex Police has urged attendees to speak with officers, security teams or call 999 if something does not feel safe.

Germany is still reckoning with the attack as details of Ballout's previous convictions emerge.

He was arrested in Germany last November after heading to Lebanon with the intention to join Isis.

In May, he was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison - but had his decision deferred for six months.

Just weeks later, he would go on his murderous spree in Berlin.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted he could not comprehend how Ballout's movement was restricted.

"I cannot understand how I can track my mobile phone from anywhere in the world... yet it is supposedly impossible, or technically unfeasible, for security authorities in Germany to determine the whereabouts of individuals classified as security threats to that same extent," Mr Merz said.

He has now asked his Interior Minister to review the law around monitoring potential security threats.

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