Security has been stepped up across France following yesterday’s terrorist attack which resulted in the death of 12 people at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

Paris has been placed on the highest terror alert and extra troops have been deployed to protect areas believed to be at risk.

Two masked gunmen opened fire with assault rifles in the newspaper office yesterday, killing 12 people and injuring 11, some critically.

After shooting at police in the street outside, they escaped by car before abandoning the vehicle in Rue de Meaux, northern Paris, where they hijacked a second car.

French police launched a major manhunt for two of the attacker who fled; the third is believed to have handed himself in.

President Francois Hollande described the attack, which is believed to be the deadliest attack in France since 1961, to be “of exceptional barbarity”.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its travel advice to France, saying: “If you’re in Paris or the Ile de France area, take extra care and follow the security advice issued by the French authorities.

“Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist groups, and recent French military intervention against ISIL, the French government has warned the public to be especially vigilant and has reinforced its own domestic and overseas security measures.”

Previous incidents attributed to Islamist extremists have included the shooting of three soldiers and four civilians in Toulouse, and a knife attack on a soldier near Paris.

Today (Thursday) has been declared by the president as a day of mourning and a minute’s silence will be held across France at midday.