Christmas markets are a particularly vulnerable target as they attract large numbers of people. Across Europe, authorities have introduced strict security measures ahead of the Advent period.

Amid rising concerns about increased terrorism threats, a survey commissioned by the German news agency Evangelische Nachrichtenagentur and conducted by the INSA-Consulere market and social research institute reveals that 22 percent of Germans have decided to skip visiting Christmas markets this year.

The research suggests that women (25 percent) are more likely to avoid Christmas markets than men (19 percent) due to perceived risks.

However, 48 percent of Germans said they would not refrain from visiting Christmas markets, the Katolische Nachrichten news portal reports.

In late November, German intelligence warned of a heightened threat of terrorism. At the time, it was reported that the war between Hamas and Israel had led to a significant increase in radical Islamist activity in Europe. Thomas Haldenwang, head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), said there were strong suspicions that Islamists were planning attacks in the West

The German news channel Tagesschau reported at the time that two young extremists were planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Germany, with a Christmas market and a synagogue in Cologne among their possible targets.

At the same time, the threat of terrorist attacks has increased not just in Germany, but all across Europe. Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson stated that „The social polarisation caused by the war between Israel and Hamas increases the risk of violence,” adding that

„there is a huge risk of terrorist attacks in the European Union” in the coming festive period.”

Belgium is also stepping up its protection of Christmas markets. At the end of November, Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said that municipalities could ask for local analyses of what measures are needed to ensure that fairs and Christmas events are held in the safest possible conditions, The Brussels Times reported

The interior minister noted that not all Christmas fairs automatically fall under the level 3 on the maximum scale of 4. He argued, however, that fairs are inherently risky places because they attract large numbers of people. Last year, the 22nd edition of the Brussels markets attracted nearly 3.5 million visitors, while Liège usually draws around 2 million visitors.

It is evident that a substantial police presence, comprising both uniformed officers and those in plain clothes, will be deployed at the Brussels fairs, and several security guards are employed in direct contact with the police. And in Liège, teams of dogs specialized in searching for explosives and drones will also be monitoring security.