UK – Highest Terror Alert – Massive Aircraft Bomb Plot Disrupted
by John Little on 10/08/2006|| Developing. Scroll down for updates.
A serious attack appears to have been averted:
“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 metropolitan police anti-terrorist branch and security services,” a police spokesman said.
He said police believes that the intention was particularly to target flights from Britain to the United States.
But there is still serious concern:
Britain raised its security threat level to “critical” on Thursday, which means it expects an attack imminently, after a police said they had foiled a plot to blow up aircraft.
It sounds like we could be headed for a very interesting Thursday:
Police say they have disrupted a major plot to blow up a dozen planes over UK and US cities with explosive devices smuggled aboard as hand luggage.
…Brunt said the threat was thought to be 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 Home Secretary John Reid said the alleged plot was a “major threat” to bring down a number of planes.
Dan Riehl reacts:
I’ll turn you over to Ace for the details. Jeff Goldstein and Allah each have more. Does anyone feel like flying today? Or maybe telling Bush to relieve Chertoff of his job? Haven’t we learned anything from 9/11?Maybe there is no connection at all. But what the hell is going on when foreign nationals from the Middle East can enter the country, immediately default on their visas – and sometime later, someone gets around to wondering where the hell they are? And doesn’t even immediately circulate names and pictures because it’s impolite?
No, Yes, and No. Unfortunately.
The Department for Transport has issued a statement:
Following this morning’s police action, security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for all flights.
With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.
All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.
Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:
* pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
* travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
* prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
* spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
* contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
* for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
* female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
* tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
* keys (but no electrical key fobs)All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.
Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.
In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.
There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.
Regrettably, significant delays at airports are 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. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only. In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.
If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier.
Statements from our government are expected:
In Washington, FBI Special Agent Richard Kolko said the agency is aware of the “ongoing situation in London” and will issue a statement later.
The President, as you would expect, has been briefed:
Downing Street said the anti-terror operation had been undertaken “with the full support” of Prime Minister Tony Blair who is on holiday in the Caribbean.
He had been “in constant contact” with the situation in the UK and had briefed US President George Bush overnight, a spokesman said.
Dwight Silverman is rounding up blogger’s reactions at the Houston Chronicle’s BlogWatch. I’m posting the occasional update on the my Chronicle blog as well.
Developing…
Democrats React:
Democratic Underground Forum
UK Media:
Sky News
BBC News
Guardian Unlimited
Telegraph.co.uk
Also Blogging:
Hot Air
Protein Wisdom
High Country Conservative
Right Winged
Flopping Aces
Riehl World View
MsUndersestimated
Bizzyblog
Little Green Footballs
Ace of Spades HQ
Iowa Voice
Homeland Security Watch
Michelle Malkin
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