BEIJING, July 8 -- Countries around the world have stepped up security following the attacks in London, fearing more terror could be in the offing.

    Spain put its security forces on maximum alert, posting army and police units to watch over airports, train stations and shopping centres, especially at Madrid's main Atocha railway station and across the Spanish capital.

    Some local people recalled the Madrid explosions last year.

    "It is very similar to what they did on the 11th March. I don't think they should be able to do these things - and I think that we must end this terrorism." some said.

    The March 11 train bombings in Madrid last year killed 191 people and injured 1500.

    The French government on Thursday raised its terror alert level to the second-highest ranking.

    The alert level was changed immediately to red, moving up one notch on a four-level scale. Scarlet is the highest warning level.

    As French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called for an increased level of alert, Interior Minister Nicholas Sarkozy went to inspect security at Gare du Nord train station.

    "France has not received any threats but a certain number of teams have been arrested recently which leads us to believe that France like other countries, no more no less, could be threatened. We must take what happened in London, in the same way as what happened in Madrid and what happened in New York very seriously." Sarkozy said.

    US officials urged increased vigilance around the country, but saying they had no intelligence indicating similar attacks were planned in America.

    Security was stepped up in Washington, with bomb-sniffing dogs and armed police officers patrolling the city's Metro subways and buses, ridden by about 1.2 million people a day.

    Police carrying rifles rode some trains, and passengers were being urged to report any suspicious activity, though they apparently took different attitudes.

    "I was definitely nervous riding the metro this morning. I was aware of it maybe 15 minutes before I left my house and I actually considered driving into work." one passenger said.

    "I think the system is safe and secure and I'm sure the authorities have thought it through and a little more scrutiny this morning. So, I think everything will be fine." a passenger said.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)