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Plane Terror Plot Thwarted
Updated: 07:42, Thursday August 10, 2006
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.
Police are have arrested 20 people in London - the culmination of a covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.
Passengers trying to board international flights from the UK are not being allowed to carry on normal hand luggage.
Sky News' Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said there were concerns that certain explosives could evade x-ray screening of hand luggage.
Brunt said the threat was thought to be imminent and those arrested were mainly young, British-born Asian men.
He said the plan allegedly involved people boarding flights and detonating explosives on planes over UK and US cities.
Worries over screening The Home Secretary John Reid said the alleged plot was a "major threat" to bring down a number of planes.
The Home Office's level of security - indicating public risk - has been raised from 'severe' to 'critical'.
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, 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."
Updated: 07:42, Thursday August 10, 2006
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.
Police are have arrested 20 people in London - the culmination of a covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.
Passengers trying to board international flights from the UK are not being allowed to carry on normal hand luggage.
Sky News' Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said there were concerns that certain explosives could evade x-ray screening of hand luggage.
Brunt said the threat was thought to be imminent and those arrested were mainly young, British-born Asian men.
He said the plan allegedly involved people boarding flights and detonating explosives on planes over UK and US cities.
Worries over screening The Home Secretary John Reid said the alleged plot was a "major threat" to bring down a number of planes.
The Home Office's level of security - indicating public risk - has been raised from 'severe' to 'critical'.
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, 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."
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