Czech police strengthens patrols in reaction to Munich shooting

In reaction to Friday's shooting in Munich, Czech police will preventively guard shopping centres in the country.

The police will also strengthen patrols near the border with Germany to prevent a possible escape of any of the still unknown shooters, said Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec on Czech Television on Friday night.

Chovanec said he is in contact with the secret services and police who are waiting for the latest news from Germany. He will gather intelligence group, representatives of the secret services, police and other security forces at the weekend.

According to Chovanec, there is no information about any attack threatening in the Czech Republic.

He said he has received no piece of information that would indicate any of the shooters would try to leave Germany and cross the border to the Czech Republic. Czech police officers will be relocated closer to the border, if needed, the Czech police are ready to help their German colleagues to search for the shooters.

Czech Police Presidium said that Czech police has already adopted security measures after the terrorist attacks in Brussels in late March, now they started patrolling shopping centers and other places with a high concentration of people.

A police helicopter and other reserve forces are prepared for action. "In the event that there is any development or change of the security situation, we are ready to respond immediately and ensure the safety of citizens of the Czech Republic," Czech Police President Thomas Tuhy was quoted as saying.

Random checks will be carried out at the Czech-German border, spot checks will focus mainly on border crossings with Bavaria. Endit