Christmas jihad alert: Australia enters peak terror season

Frontline police have beefed up security in time for Australia’s ‘peak terror season’.

Counter-terrorism units are preparing to foil possible attacks targeting Christmas events in Sydney and Melbourne, The Australian reported.

­Assistant commissioner Ross Guenther, who is Victoria Police’s officer in charge of counter-terrorism, said the holiday season is the most dangerous time of the year in Australia and Europe.

Frontline police have beefed up security in time for Australia’s ‘peak terror season’ (bollards pictured in Brisbane) 

Arrest of Somali-Australian alleged terrorist Ali Khalif Shire pictured

This comes as Iraq and Russia officially announced victory against ISIS in the Middle East.

However Mr Guenther warned the defeat could raise the risk of attacks from jihadi soldiers returning back to Australia.

‘Their (authorities) concern is that the tempo will increase. As people return across the borders, that risk is going to escalate,’ he told The Australian.

Counter-terrorism network Five Eyes (security officials from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, USA and Canada) will meet in Melbourne on Monday to discuss the best methods to prevent and respond to attacks at large events.

The Victorian government will also confirm it will go ahead with a loudspeaker alert system in Melbourne.

The speakers will warn and tell people what to do in the event of a mass shooting or car rampage.

There are currently 65 speakers at high risk areas in Melbourne’s CBD including Federation Square, Flinders Street Station. 

There are currently 65 speakers at high risk areas in Melbourne’s CBD including Federation Square, Flinders Street Station (stock image) 

Counter-terrorism units are preparing to foil possible attacks targeting Christmas events in Sydney and Melbourne (Sydney pictured)