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From The Times
September 19, 2005

Dirty bomb team under threat

Ministers are deciding whether to scrap Britain’s frontline unit against a chemical attack or a dirty bomb. With the country still on alert after the July bombings, police chiefs are surprised at revelations that the Home Office is investigating whether to keep its Multi-Agency Initial Assessment Team (MAIAT).

Intelligence agencies fear that extremist groups will pack toxins or radioactive materials into a bomb to cause panic, as well as massive loss of life.

The threat was revealed during an Old Bailey trial in which an Algerian-born militant was jailed for plotting to smear ricin on to door handles. The 48-strong MAIAT unit is on call in the capital. Security agencies had expected it to be extended after a £3 million year-long pilot project.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We always said that the programme will be reviewed after the first year.”

The spokesman said that no final decision has been made.

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