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The terrorist group behind the latest wave of bombing plots has not yet been neutralised and other attacks could hit cities in the United Kingdom, security sources told The Times yesterday.
As the head of Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command confirmed that the two car bombs discovered in London and the blazing Jeep incident at Glasgow airport were linked, a source said: “There is a group of individuals out there who have the capability and the intent to carry out attacks in the UK.
“In our judgment it is very likely there will be further attacks.”
The alert status was raised to “critical” at the weekend and will stay there until MI5 and the police are sure that there are no further attacks being planned by the cell. Those responsible for parking two bomb-primed cars in the West End are still on the run.
Commuters and people travelling longer distances by rail and air will notice changes today with a heightened police presence. A Scotland Yard spokesman said that more officers would be on patrol at mainline stations and on the streets to act as a “highly visible reassurance”.
Peter Clarke, Scotland Yard’s counterterrorism chief, said he was confident that the investigation would uncover who was behind the attacks. Last night there were five people in custody, one of them a 27-year-old woman, all arrested in connection with the plots. The woman was arrested with a man after police blocked their car while travelling on the M6.
Of the five, two are understood to be doctors, while none is thought to be a British citizen.
The driver of the Jeep Cherokee that crashed into the terminal at Glasgow airport suffered severe burns after setting himself alight and was still in hospital in a critical condition. To add to the drama, police carried out a controlled explosion on a vehicle in the car park of the hospital where the suspect was being treated. Strathclyde Police said that the car was connected to the airport attack.
MI5 and the police are searching through their databases to see if there is any trace of known suspects who may be connected to the London and Glasgow plots. One source said that the real fear was that the terrorists may turn out to be new suspects who had evaded MI5’s expanding surveillance and monitoring operations — known as “clean skins”.
In his first broadcast interview since becoming Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said that the attacks in London and Glasgow were perpetrated by people who were associated with al-Qaeda. Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee yesterday and will make a statement to the Commons today.
Mr Brown urged people to continue “living their lives as normal”. But for the general public, the repercussions of the plots were immediately clear. Tighter restrictions at airports caused long queues at the start of the holiday season. There was also a heavier police presence at railway stations.
Reports that a number of terror suspects on control orders who had absconded might be responsible were dismissed by security sources. Seven suspects have gone missing, but it is thought they have all left the country. Sources also denied a report from the US that America had warned British intelligence two weeks ago of a plot to attack Glasgow airport.
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The sad part of all of this, is the immigration policy of the UK.
Just like it's American counterpart, it is broken. The leaders who manage the immigration policies should all be held accountable. I do have a thought though? Maybe we could deport our illegals for the UK's illegals? Nah! both countries would welcome them with open arms.
To those who think this is a close minded view, I suggest you start learning arabic and spanish. Because soon it will become your new mother tongue!
James M. McElfresh/ Vietnam Era Veteran, PAROWAN, USA UTAH
It is codemnable if such an attempt is there.
Abdul Vahid, Calicut, Kerala, India
If the two terrorists who drove the Jeep into Glasgow Airport are not British Citizens, why treat them for their self inflicted injuries over here? put them on a Plane to their country of origin and let that country look after them .
T.Mac, St.Helens, England
Quite obviously Allah has not "willed" British people to die through suicide bombers, they should take note of that
sue, London, UK
As long as Muslims are given free reign and right of travel in Britain, terrorism will continue to be a possibility. This is a war of culture and of religion. Get used to a seige mentality for years to come.
Scott, Durham, NC, USA
I am sick of people like Geoff looking for some large corporation to absorb the damage caused by parties with absolutely no connection at all with the problem.
James Clark, cardiff, Wales
we need to rethink immediately immigration policy, and end our fear of being politically incorrect. Minority groups who don't share our values, or who identify with their religion more than their nationality... should scrutinized. We need to be honest about the nature of this threat.
Joseph N, London,
Lets not blame all Muslims throughout the British Isles for terroristic attacks of the few members Al Quaeda who did these horrific acts
Finbarr M Corr , Dennis , Ma
Unlikely - the owners insurance policy is bound to exclude "Acts of terrorism" !
simon , cardiff, wales.
Yes it is a daft idea
Stuart Williams , Bournemouth,
Fortunately, the emergency services: Glasgow Airport Police and Fire Service, were at the scene within minutes and prevented
these suicide bombers from completing their mission! The Glesca Polis (Glasgow Police) quickly detained the bombers and the Fire Service used their expertise to damp down the 2,000 degree blaze and not only prevented a potential fireball but also preserved the evidential value of the burnt out Jeep! Tell these terrorists, if they have the guts to return to Glasgow, then they had better bring along the Mahdi Army because they will once again have to face the finest Polis Service in the world: The Strathclyde Police!
Mr Lachie Todd, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
The saddest thing about the terror incident is the way the government talk down to native Brits effectively saying donât take this atrocity out on Muslims. I have no intention of doing so. I take extreme offence to some silly MP suggesting otherwise. Such language further entrenches the view that Muslims are different and need to be treated with kid gloves and protected from every day life.
jj, Cambridgeshire, UK
Lets not blame all Muslims throughout the British Isles for terroristic attacks of the few members Al Quaeda who did these horrific acts
Finbarr M Corr , Dennis , Ma
If the threat facing this country is what the authorities keep on saying it is, then the government's only logical action is to impose a complete freeze on immigration while the list of 'at least 2000' or whatever said to be planning terrorism are properly screened and monitored. This is war and appropriate actions are required.
Ed, London,
Brown has been an extremely good leader in the first major issue he has had to face, the advice he has given has guided hope and stability for my family and I at this time of peril.
Jack, aberdeen, uk
Sadly this is the result of our open door policy of allowing anyone who wants to come to get into our country without being scrutinised. The fact that terror suspects can abscond is bad enough but to learn that they have probably left the country shows how permeable our borders are.
Sadly we will have to sacrifice some of our freedom in order to be more secure. It's time to control the immigration here.
roz kadir, Kingston, surrey
In agreement with Geoff. Feasible idea!
James, London,
I live on the other side of the world but, when my young daughter asks me "am I in danger too?" I have to say to her " there are idiots every where and though you may not face a bomb, irrational and indiscriminate violence is a distinct possibility, so take care and keep your head down". One thing leads to another. May all of you in England be safe and well.
robert peterson, Melbourne, Australia
A less daft idea: sue the Saudis who have financed these terrorists for decades
Jabberwocky, London, UK
Now that cargo enjoys more efficient and 'normal' travel than people it's clear that the terrorists have won.
It's fine for the PM to say life has to go on when he is driven to the steps of the plane. The voters are stuck (again) outside the terminal in the rain.
FP, London, UK
Can I plead that ALL politicians 'shut up' in making hourly comment on these incidents?
Leave security issues to the professionals for they are trained and put their well being 'on the line'; rather than puff and prate!
They feed the malcontents appetite for media exposure, add over-reaction on the part of the security services and inconvenience Mr and Mrs J Public in going about their normal lives.
Messrs Brown, Mrs Smith et al are themselves a burden on the taxpayer in providing security costs.
Silence is golden - and the 'Hearts and Minds' cry from Mr Brown is no more than empty rhetoric.
Alan Harvey, Fleet, UK
Is anyone ever going to shut down these terror camps in Pakistan that train these psychos, before some nutter decides to park a nuclear warhead outside Number 10?
Maybe the CIA who helped set them up should be doing the job, that's if Musharraf will let you into his peaceful law abiding non nuclear proliferating Daniel Pearl loving country!
Mike Hunt, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK
What do those guys really want, i don't get it. I mean - IRA wants (or at least wanted) accession of northern Ireland to Ireland; ETA wants a "free" Basque Country, PLO or today Hamas want a "free" Palestine, and so on. They have an end, they use terror to achieve it.
But what do those Al Qaeda guys want?!
Jens Persson, Cologne, Germany
More home-grown terrorists no doubt. When will the government realise the disastrous consequences of its policies on multiculturalism and faith schools?
David Rothwell, Brighton,
Bring back death penalty for these sorts of crimes. I was born in late 80's and even I can see this is needed as a form of punishment.
Victoria, London,
Will the gentleman who subdued this scum be charged with assault? It is only fair and consistent that he is.
Richard, Woodham, UK
I hope that stings!
d.c, salina, ks
I listened to the Home Secretary today telling about how the Government's first priority is safety of the British Public............My question is this: Will you continue to allow the Radicals to march in the streets of the UK carrying their banners of promised destruction of the Western Civilization? No need to hunt for radicals..........next time you see them doing that, arrest everyone with a sign.
Milt, Port Charlotte, USA/Floridsa
I feel sorry for the poor chap who broke his leg trying to restrain the burning terrorist, perhaps he could claim compensation from him? Oh but no, the terrorist will get the best possible hospital care, a nice bed in a prison with three meals a day and then be so disabled he will be able to get a house, social security benefits and medical care for the rest of his life. Plus any family that he wants with him of course.
I am 'glad' it happened in Glasgow at least the Scots have still got some guts, if that had happened in my beloved England I doubt if anyone would have joined in, England's spirit has been squashed by the PC brigade. I hope the people who joined in to help the security people get an award, as they deserve it.
Christine, Hayes, Middlesex, England
I think that Gordon Brown should split from the EU as this would prevent people from entering our country without having to pass security checks at airports, cross channel ferry ports and Eurotunnel train stations. By doing so the rate of imagrints entering the country illegally is likly to fall by a noticeable amount. The net result would probably be a much less terrorist theat and it would show that the goverment is taking a pro-active to countering terrorism within our borders.
Simon Hamilton, Newtownards, Co. Down Northern Ireland
Interestng that at least two are doctors working for the NHS - positons of trust, which are supposed to be vetted. Previous terrorists have been in posts with access to children, staff on the London underground and 'counsellors' in prisons. Is it time to look at the criteria for access to sensitive posts before one of these guys is found working as an airport security guard, or even your pilot?
John, Leicester, England
If these 'visitors' to the UK do not like or accept our way of life - they should go or (better still) be deported. Only those with a genuine desire to live the UK lifestyle should be re-admitted and only after very careful vetting regardless of their citizenship.
I live and work in a muslim country (Afghanistan) and here we (visitors) must abide by the local rules or we are abused and kicked out.
The sale of alcohol is strictly controlled (although widely availabe to Afghan nationals at a price) and restuarants with a 'foreign' clientelle are regularily 'visited' by the 'virtue' police who remove any cash, alcohol and other valuables before beating up the males and 'detaining' the females.
Visas are issued on a 3 month basis and without a valid visa you are likely to end up in jail and then be deported (never to be alowed to return).
Maybe we should learn our lessons for the UK from our muslim tutors.
David, Kabul, Afghanistan
Hey thank god for the GLASGOW KISS !!!
Maggie , Brittany , France
we all here in the USA ,are with you all the way....
you all in our prayer......GOD bless
ramez almualla, san pablo, ca,usa
Neutralised? Perhaps Michael Evans or Adam Fresco can shed some light on exactly what this means and what happens when someone gets 'neutralised'. Or do I have to watch a Hollywood film to find out?
Rod Munch, Northampton, uk
Perhaps Osama Bin laden might like to make a donation to the NHS for the expensive surgery the terrorist will need. Not to mention the fact that he is depriving a British tax payer of a bed and intensive care facilities.
Luke Nicolaides, London,
The Glasgow terrorist appears to have met EU recommended tactics: "Two squirts of CS gas and confiscate his mascara". The passing Glaswegian reponse was to subdue him with a number of stout punches to the face. Glasgow's far better!
G.Kidston, London, U.K.
Daft idea maybe but --- if the Jeep which was driven into Glasgow airport was legally on the road- which it may well have been - I wonder if the owners insurance company could be made liable for all the damage and disruption!
geoff, Birmingham, UK