Foreign Office issues new travel alert for people going to Denmark and Sweden

The Foreign Office has issued an update for anyone travelling to Denmark and Sweden, with the Eurovision Song Contest taking place over the next week. Officials have said there is a chance UK travellers could be targeted by attackers in the current international climate.

The Foreign Office said: "The Eurovision song contest will take place in Malmö from 4 May to 11 May. There will be a greater number of people in Malmö during this time. Travel around the city may be affected by travel control systems, or protests. See safety and security information if you plan to be in Malmö, or attending the event.

"Terrorist attacks in Denmark cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners. The authorities in Denmark have successfully disrupted a number of planned attacks and made a number of arrests.”

In direct relation to the Eurovision, the FO said it was offering text alerts for people to get up to date. It said: "Eurovision will take place in Malmö, Sweden from 4 May to 11 May 2024. If you are travelling via or staying in Copenhagen to attend:

• check the official Eurovision song contest website to stay informed

• check information from the Swedish authorities on the kriseinformation website

• sign up to get emails alerts on the travel advice for Sweden"

Eurovision Song Contest organisers have said they reserve the right to remove any Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian symbols at the show next week in Sweden. The announcement came amid heightened tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in the annual music competition over its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, now in its seventh month.

Pro-Palestinian groups are expected to stage large protests in Malmo to raise awareness of their cause. Michelle Roverelli, the head of communications for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that runs the show each year, said ticket buyers are only allowed to bring and display flags that represent countries that take part in the event, as well as the rainbow-coloured flag.

The Geneva-based EBU reserves the right “to remove any other flags or symbols, clothing, items and banners being used for the likely purpose of instrumentalising the TV shows”, she said. She was responding after Swedish newspaper Goteborgs-Posten reported on Thursday that contest organisers had banned Palestinian flags and political banners at the event.

National flags are a common sight during the contest as fans cheer on their country’s acts and those they support. The glitzy gala, which draws hundreds of millions of viewers each year, is hosting the event from May 7-11 in Malmo in southern Sweden, following last year’s victory by Loreen for its performance of Tattoo last year.

Winners earn the right for their country to host the following year’s event: Sweden is set to host for a record-equalling 7th time. Swedish police have warned that security will be tight, citing a threat of terrorism in the wealthy Nordic country.

Pro-Palestinian activists who want Israel – a former winner – out of the Eurovision Song Contest have announced large rallies in central Malmo, several miles from the Malmo Arena contest venue. Last month Swedish police said they had received an application for a demonstration in Malmo to burn a copy of the Koran before the contest.

Sweden raised its terror threat level last year following a series of burnings of the Koran that triggered protests in the Muslim world.

In recent weeks, reaction around the world to the war between Israel and Hamas has led to large protests on US university campuses and beyond.