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According to MI5's website, critical threat level means "an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK".
A terror plot to blow up planes from the UK mid-flight has been disrupted, Scotland Yard says. Heightened security is causing severe delays at airports and the threat level has been raised to "critical".
It is thought the plan was to detonate up to three explosive devices smuggled on aircraft in hand luggage.
Police have arrested about 18 people in the London area after an anti-terrorist operation lasting several months.
Security at all airports in the UK has been tightened and delays are reported. MI5 has raised the UK threat level to critical - the highest possible.
No hand luggage except essensials are allowed on any airoplanes, and no flights are leaving the biggest international airport in the world until further notice; even if you have tickets, you are being advised not to go to heathrow airport today, and airoplanes which have not already taken off, destined for Hearthrow have been canceled.
"The reason for raising the threat level is in case there is some other sub-plot, back-up plot around this that the police aren't aware of," he said
Home Secretary John Reid confirmed that there had apparently been a plot "to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions causing a considerable loss of life".
According to BBC sources the "principal characters" suspected of being involved in the plot were British-born.
In other major developments: The US Department of Homeland Security said the increased threat level applied to commercial flights originating in the UK
The Home Office confirmed there had been three meetings overnight and on Thursday morning of the Cabinet's emergency committee, Cobra, chaired by Mr Reid, to discuss the terror alert
A spokesman for Number 10 said Tony Blair had briefed US President George Bush on the situation during the night
All passengers were banned from taking hand luggage onto flights, while the government warned of delays. Heathrow Airport has warned travellers to stay at home if possible
Heathrow airport operator BAA asked that all in-bound services not already in the air be suspended, National Air Traffic Services said
Quote:
The UK faces a range of covert threats to its security. The background information available on these threats aims to put our security advice in context.
There is a serious and sustained threat from international terrorism to the UK and UK interests overseas. The current threat level is assessed as "Critical".
The most significant terrorist threat comes from Al Qaida and associated networks. Information on Al Qaida's typical methods of attack and targets and the current threat to the UK has been prepared by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC).
It's a small relief to know that our security forces are alert and active! That's kinda scary though. It must be serious, if they've grounded flights at Heathrow. Heathrow, is a major airport in Europe. I guess Frankfurt will be very popular now....
For those of you wanting live media coverage, check out Live news on the BBC website.
www.bbc.co.uk
Last edited by Andy on Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:14 am; edited 2 times in total
Police are ramping up the security in more airports in the UK, and just to make it clear Heathrow is the largest international airport in the world. I'd like to thank the security services for stopping this attack. About 21 people have been arrested and houses and properties have been raided.
It looks like Security Contingency plans are being implemented well; but the MI5 still have terrorist alert to critical; and it will be a long time for flights to regain to normal at Heathrow; It will disrup most international airports in the world.
Quote:
For those of you wanting live media coverage, check out Live news on the BBC website.
www.bbc.co.uk
As said in my post
I think BBC is probably the best for news like this; and maybe other news agencies, but BBC have a well upfated and easy to view site.
Speculation is saying some measures implemented today may be permanent, shuch as hand luggage restrictions, as you read in my post above, but thanks to MI5 they were stopped at the last minute; anyone planning to go to the US may run in to some problems at the other end too, but if flights are leaving from other International Airports in the country, and hopefully there are no more incidents, the flights should be pretty save with the security that is in place now.
The latest from BBC says...
It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled in hand luggage on to as many as 10 aircraft.
Police are searching premises with 21 people in custody after arrests in London, High Wycombe and Birmingham.
According to MI5's website, critical threat level - the highest - means "an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK".
The plot is thought to have involved a series of "waves" of simultaneous attacks, targeting three planes each time.
Officials say the explosives would have been sophisticated and extremely effective," our correspondent said.
Heathrow and Gatwick has suspended all flights.
Quote:
Head of the Met's anti-terrorist branch Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke said the investigation had had "global dimensions" and had seen an "unprecedented level" of surveillance.
The decision to take action had been taken on Wednesday night, he added.
The US Department of Homeland Security increased the threat level applied to US-bound commercial flights originating in the UK to "red" - the first time it has done this for flights coming in from another country The Virgin West Coast train operator has said it will accept any London to Manchester air tickets dated with today's date.
This was all over are news channels today hear in North Carolina. It is pretty sad I heared there were alot of delays and lets see um any kind of gel or liquid was banned from going on the planes.
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