UNITED KINGDOM: British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith warns of "sustained" threat of terrorism after weekend attack. Heightened security rolled out across the UK

Record ID: 731378

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith warns of "sustained" threat of terrorism after weekend attack. Heightened security rolled out across the UK
  • Date: 2nd July 2007
  • Summary: BN08) LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 2, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS MORNING NEWSPAPERS WITH HEADLINES INCLUDING "HUNT FOR TERROR CELL"/ "BOMBS: TWO DOCTORS HELD" (5 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA59B44XY8L05EQ4L90R0LILAIG
  • Story Text: As police fan out across the UK amid heightened security, especially in London and at the country's airports, British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says Britain faces a "serious and sustained threat of terrorism".
    British anti-terror detectives Monday (July 2) continued the hunt for additional members of a suspected militant cell who carried out an attack on Glasgow airport and tried to detonate two bombs in central London.
    British newspapers were full of details on the investigation.
    Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said Britain was facing a "serious and sustained threat of terrorism" and urged the public to remain on alert.
    She rejected suggestions Britain's participation in the war in Iraq was responsible for the attempted attacks, and blamed al Qaeda for what she called terrorist acts.
    "We do not know where people came from, where they lived, who had been involved in the incidents over the last few days. But in general terms, we do know over recent times that there is a serious threat from al Qaeda-related terrorism. You know, let's be quite clear, that is terrorists, that is not people pursuing their religion, that is not people who have a legitimate political case to make. These are criminals; they're murderers; they attack all of us," she said in a TV interview.
    Police declined to identify any of the people under arrest, but British newspapers said two of those in custody were doctors -- one an Iranian doctor who worked at North Staffordshire Hospital in central England. A spokeswoman at the hospital declined to comment.
    On Saturday, police arrested the passenger and badly-burned driver of a Jeep Cherokee who had rammed the vehicle into the entrance of Glasgow's airport, causing a huge fireball.
    By Monday, Glasgow airport was mostly back to normal. Travellers found the heightened security made them feel safe.
    "I think it's dreadful what's happened, but I don't think it should put people off, and obviously, there's tighter security. So I do feel quite safe," said Anna Harrigan.
    "Well we're pretty much back up to normal," Gordon Dewar, Managing Director of Glascow Airport told Reuters. "We still have a bit of work to do in terms of cleaning up and tidying up but as you can see behind me, all the desks are open, the vast majority of the flights are open, all of our car parks are open; getting to and from the airport is pretty standard now. There's a few things we have to work around but, actually, everyone's pulled together. The team from Glasgow have done a fantastic job, and the security services, and we're back up and running."
    The attack in Glascow came 36 hours after police in London found two Mercedes car bombs packed with fuel canisters, propane tanks and nails parked near a crowded nightclub in the capital's busy theatre district.
    Police in London were out in force Monday randomly spot checking vehicles. Extra patrols could be seen at railway stations. Authorities believe the Glasgow and London incidents are linked.
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