Former Head of Counter Terrorism Chris Phillips has criticised the police for "not taking threats seriously", after one of the UK's major football stadiums was threatened by Islamic State.
Fans attending last night's football game at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London were urged to "be alert", after a sinister image was shared by the Al Ayn Foundation, a media channel linked to the terrorist group.
Just weeks after they killed hundreds at a concert hall in Moscow, the group have threatened to target four more venues, including Arsenal's home ground.
The Met Police said that they are "aware of the threats", and insist they have a "robust plan in place" to protect supporters. No incidents were reported at the grounds following the match.
Chris Phillips says the Metropolitan Police 'aren't taking this seriously'
PA / GB News
Appearing on GB News, Phillips told host Patrick Christys that the biggest security risk is fans "leaving the ground" as that is where "rogue elements can get in".
In criticism of the Al Ayn Foundation and their threats, Phillips claimed that as a "terrorist organisation", you "don't go and tell the police when and where you are going to do it", as it is "almost guaranteed to make any attempt fail".
Phillips said: "They can't make contact with their operatives within, within Europe and they're just issuing edicts to any idiot out there that wants to go and make themselves famous to go and do something stupid. And of course, that could happen.
"But the fact that the threat level didn't go up is telling me really that the police weren't taking this massively seriously."
Al Ayn Foundation sent out an image, threatening four other major venues
Al Ayn Foundation / GB News
Patrick argued that the "drastic posters" put out by the group are a "call for anyone who can just pull a kitchen knife out the drawer, and that is a concern".
Patrick added: "Lone wolf attacks spurred on by those kind of posters."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Phillips explained: "We've had this before, where Al-Qaeda and Isis have literally put out messages saying just kill everyone. Use cars, use vans, use knives, use guns, whatever you can get hold of. Just go and kill people.
"And it's a hint of desperation. But there is always that concern that there are people in our country and across Europe that would would go and do that."
Patrick highlighted that the Emirates Stadium can hold "60,000 people" and fans will be "piling out of that stadium and waiting outside the ground".
He asked Phillips: "How on earth are the police and security forces going to spot someone?"
Phillips warned that it is 'imperative for us as a nation to stay alert'
GB News
Phillips responded: "That is the most difficult thing. But of course there are very good CCTV cameras in the area.
"I think the big concern is not so much around the stadium, but actually in the transport hubs and the transport away from the ground and to the ground, those are the areas that are more likely to be targeted by any would-be terrorists."
When questioned on how concerned the UK should be about the threat "given the increased situation that's going on in Gaza", Phillips said the conflict is "another thing to add to the mix".
He said: "There are an enormous number of people across Europe who feel the West are evil, and any one of those could go on and commit some kind of heinous crime like this.
"There there are causes for concern, and I think it's really imperative for us as a nation to make sure that we are alert."
In a statement, Uefa said: "Uefa is aware of alleged terrorist threats made towards this week’s Uefa Champions League matches and is closely liaising with the authorities at the respective venues.
"All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place."
