Austria gets creative with anti-terror measures for Christmas market

VIENNA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Austria has found a creative way to boost security measures at the well-known Christkindlmarkt Christmas market here, as a precaution against any potential terror attacks, Krone newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The measures include using concrete blocks disguised as Christmas presents, as well as a massive police presence that covers almost all entrances to the market. Similar measures have also been implemented at the numerous other smaller markets in the Austrian capital.

During a visit to the Christkindl market at the Rathausplatz in the city center, Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said that in light of potential threats, "We are well prepared."

He added that while it was important to have such measures in place, these things must always be done within reason.

Karlheinz Dudek from the Vienna police said the number of police personnel can be quickly adjusted depending on the threat level, saying there were presently no indicators of an increased security risk.

The level of alert following the terror attack at a Christmas market in Berlin in December last year has prompted similar security measures across Europe. Enditem