Mastermind behind the Paris attacks 'had photographs of UK targets on his mobile phone'

Paris attacks mastermind Abaaoud had a number of photographs of UK locations on his phone

EVIL Paris attacks mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud had photographs of UK targets on his mobile phone, it has been revealed. Investigators discovered pictures of places in Birmingham on his smartphone - sparking fears the brute was planning atrocities here in Britain, the Mail on Sunday reports.

Salah Abdeslam, Europe's most wanted man, is also feared to have entered the UK at some point

A source close to the probe said images may have even been taken by the terrorist himself, suggesting he got into the UK despite being the subject of an international manhunt well before the Paris attacks that left 130 dead.

Insiders believed the notorious jihadi was in contact with a “network of associates” in the Midlands in the run-up to the Paris massacre. Salah Abdeslam, Europe’s most wanted man and one of the Paris attackers, is also believed to have visited Birmingham, the Mail reports.

Police have warned the public to be vigilant in England’s second city, but dismissed “unhelpful” rumours an attack was planned for this weekend. West Midlands Police are said to be taking the Islamic State links “deadly seriously” as a source claims British police have come to the “frightening conclusion” he wanted to cause more carnage.

It has not been disclosed what the photos were of, but Birmingham is home to a number of the UK’s landmarks - including the National Exhibition Centre, football stadiums Villa Park and St Andrews, and Edgbaston Cricket Ground, where Warwickshire and England play.