Speaking in response to today's terrorist attack on Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Àngels Bosch, president of the European Confederation of Police (EuroCOP) said:

“The citizens of Europe have once again been targeted in a deadly and cowardly terrorist attack.

This afternoon (17 August 2017) a vehicle deliberately drove at pedestrians who were going about their daily lives on Las Ramblas in Barcelona.

At this time 13 people are known to have lost their lives and many dozens more have been injured, some seriously.

We know police officers in Barcelona were quickly on the scene and are working tirelessly to identify those responsible for this senseless attack on innocents. We applaud their courage as they seek those responsible.

Las Ramblas is popular with tourists as well as locals to Barcelona. It is a location that will be known by millions from all corners of the globe. There can be no doubt the impact of this attack will be felt in many countries.

We extend our most sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. We wish those who have been injured a speedy recovery, and we stand with the citizens of Barcelona as they face up to the after effects of this tragedy.

Barcelona is a wonderful vibrant city that epitomises tolerance and love. It's citizens will never allow the democratic freedoms they enjoy to be destroyed by those who promote hatred.

The crude and unsophisticated methods used to terrorise our citizens demonstrate that

nowhere in Europe can be complacent about the likelihood of a terrorist attack in their own localities.

EuroCOP once again urges governments to ensure police services have all the resources they need to be able to fight terrorism.”