Plane Terror Plot Thwarted
Thursday August 10, 2006
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1230417,00.html
Police say they have disrupted a major plot to blow up planes in mid-flight with explosive devices smuggled aboard as hand luggage.
Sky News has been told the plan was to hit around a dozen planes over UK and US cities.
Police are said to have arrested 20 people in London - the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.
Passengers trying to board international flights from the UK are not being allowed to carry on hand luggage.
The Home Office's level of security - indicating public risk - has been raised from 'severe' to 'critical'.
Sky News' Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said he understood the threat was imminent and those arrested were mainly young, British-born Asian men.
He said the alleged plan involved people boarding flights and detonating explosives on planes over UK and US cities.
The swoop followed a pre-planned intelligence led operation by the Met's anti-terrorist branch and security service.
A police statement said: "This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex. We will provide further information as soon as possible."
Lengthy queues at airports have been reported and a Transport Department spokesman said delays were inevitable.
"Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.
"These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year.
"But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure."
Thursday August 10, 2006
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1230417,00.html
Police say they have disrupted a major plot to blow up planes in mid-flight with explosive devices smuggled aboard as hand luggage.
Sky News has been told the plan was to hit around a dozen planes over UK and US cities.
Police are said to have arrested 20 people in London - the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.
Passengers trying to board international flights from the UK are not being allowed to carry on hand luggage.
The Home Office's level of security - indicating public risk - has been raised from 'severe' to 'critical'.
Sky News' Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said he understood the threat was imminent and those arrested were mainly young, British-born Asian men.
He said the alleged plan involved people boarding flights and detonating explosives on planes over UK and US cities.
The swoop followed a pre-planned intelligence led operation by the Met's anti-terrorist branch and security service.
A police statement said: "This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex. We will provide further information as soon as possible."
Lengthy queues at airports have been reported and a Transport Department spokesman said delays were inevitable.
"Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.
"These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year.
"But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure."