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France is set to step up nationwide security at its Christmas markets over the "very high" threat of terror the country is facing. In a memo sent to regions across the country, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has asked officials to ensure that intelligence services are mobilised "in the detection, prevention and, where necessary, thwarting of terrorist threats".

Mr Nunez called for increased video surveillance and extra vigilance over the "management of pedestrian traffic to optimise its protection and control," as well as asking local officials to issue "orders prohibiting and restricting parking and traffic" at large-scale events.

He cited terror attacks across Europe as the reason behind the increased protection, including the incident in Strasbourg in 2018, which saw an Islamist extremist kill five and wound 11 others with a knife and a revolver. Last year, on December 21, a car rammed into the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing six, including a child, and injuring more than 200.

This comes just days after an investigation was launched in the northeastern city of Strasbourg after a pistol and ammunition were found near the famous Christmas market. According to a source close to the investigation, city green-space workers found the device in the bushes just a few steps from the section of the Strasbourg Christmas Market located in the historic Petite France district.

The UK's Foreign Office has also highlighted concerns about France's Christmas markets, with its travel advice reading: "terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France," citing previous examples of knife attacks, shootings and bombings, such as the 2023 attack in central Paris when one person was killed in a knife and hammer attack.

This year, Magdeburg's Christmas market is going ahead, but concrete blocks in festive green and red have been installed to prevent cars from entering the market area. Overall, the city and the organisers have invested at least €250,000 (£219,000) in new security systems.

Last month, the suspect in the Magdeburg attack, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 51-year-old Saudi doctor, went on trial after being charged with six counts of murder and 338 counts of attempted murder. He faces life imprisonment if convicted.

Security expert Will Geddes told The Sun: "Every city in Europe that puts on a Christmas market will be adjusting their approach this year. If they don't, they are irresponsible.

"This year, we're expecting to see much greater 'hostile vehicle mitigation'. This means planters or concrete blocks acting as a physical barrier to any vehicles trying to ram through. There should also be more frequent bags checks and a stronger police presence. But you can't ever assure 100% security."

France has several popular Christmas markets, particularly in the Alsace region. Strasbourg hosts the oldest market and is known as the "Capital of Christmas", while other notable markets are found in Colmar, Lille, Metz and Paris, with its Tuileries Christmas Market in the Jardins des Tuileries.