POLICE in Brussels have arrested six people in connection with an alleged plot to target the city on New Year’s Eve, prosecutors say.

    The arrests come as cities around the world heighten security measures ahead of large-scale New Year celebrations.

    The arrests in Brussels were made during raids in suburbs including Molenbeek, which was used as a base by the Nov. 13 Paris attackers.

    The city’s main fireworks display has been cancelled over the feared plot.

    None of the six people arrested Thursday have been identified. Two people arrested in Brussels earlier this week, named as 30-year-old Said S and 27-year-old Mohammed K, have been charged with threatening to carry out a terrorist attack.

    Brussels police say the apparent plots to target New Year celebrations are not related to the network behind the Paris attacks.

    Security is being stepped up in major European cities ahead of New Year celebrations, with officials wary of possible terror plots.

    New Year fireworks and festivities have been cancelled in Brussels and extra measures are being put in place in other cities, including Paris, London, Berlin and Moscow.

    Meanwhile in Turkey, security services say they have thwarted a major plot to attack celebrations in Ankara.

    Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the Brussels decision had been taken “given information we have received.”

    Last year 100,000 people turned out in Brussels to welcome in the New Year. “In these circumstances, we can’t check everyone,” Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur said.

    Brussels was put on a far-reaching lockdown in November in the wake of the Paris attacks, as police hunted suspects linked to the city.

    An escalation of the perceived terror threat to the maximum level four led to the metro network being suspended and a curfew imposed for four days.

    Belgium remains on high alert but the threat level has been downgraded to three. Restrictions in place over the New Year relate to specific events and celebrations.

    The French capital has cancelled its main New Year fireworks display but the traditional gathering on the Champs-Elysees will take place, amid tight security.

    Projections on the Arc de Triomphe will be shorter than normal and four giant screens will be placed at intervals to avoid creating tightly packed crowds.

    (SD-Agencies)