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Top e-government news, updated daily, and regular features from the top people in the public sector.
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| Anti-terrorist operation |
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A major terrorist plot to allegedly blow up aircraft in mid-flight has been disrupted in a joint pre-planned intelligence-led operation by the Met's Anti-terrorist Branch and Security Service.
It is believed that the aim was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on board the aircraft in hand luggage.
It is also believed that the attacks would have been particularly targeted at flights from the UK to the USA.
Overnight police have arrested a number of people in London. These arrests are the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.
We would like to reassure the public that this operation was carried out with public safety uppermost in our minds. This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex.
Home Secretary John Reid said:
"Overnight the police, with the full knowledge of Ministers, have carried out a major counter-terrorism operation to disrupt what we believe to be a major threat to the UK and international partners.
"The police, acting with the Security Service MI5, are investigating an alleged plot to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life. The police believe the alleged plot was a very significant one indeed.
"At 2am this morning the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the UK threat state to its highest level: 'Critical'.
"This is now being publicly announced as I promised to Parliament last month. This is a precautionary measure. We are doing everything possible to disrupt any further terrorist activity.
"This will mean major disruption at all UK airports from today. But as far as is possible we want people to go about their business as normal." |
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