Britain on alert over terrorism threat
Source: Agencies |
January 8, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
POLICE fanned out across transport hubs in London yesterday amid continuing fears of a terrorist attack.
Britain's media said security threat levels for transport hubs have been raised as several European countries warn of a high risk of terrorism.
Police were on patrol at major hubs like St Pancras and King's Cross train stations in what seemed to be an exercise in high visibility policing aimed at reassuring the public.
British Transport Police declined to comment on the deployment of officers, but denied a Sky News report that officers had been ordered to cancel days off.
Britain's government said the overall threat level from terrorism remains at "severe" - the second-highest level, meaning an attack is highly likely. The level has not changed since January 2010.
The British Home Office said that any imminent, serious threat to -the public safety would prompt a change in the overall threat level - and would see it raised to "critical," the highest point on the system's -five point scale.
Minor day-to-day revisions of policing are standard practice to handle a threat from terrorism that Prime Minister David Cameron said in December "is as serious today as it ever has been."
Britain's move comes after France and Germany increased security after warning of a heightened threat of a terrorist attack. In October, the United States State Department advised American citizens living or traveling in Europe to be wary amid reports that terrorists were planning an attack on a European city.
The next month, German authorities ordered increased security measures, including a beefed-up police presence in railway stations, airports and other public places. France is also especially vigilant on terrorism-linked matters, following warnings in the past few months that French citizens were targets for al-Qaida. France's terror alert status is at its second-highest level.
BAA, which runs Heathrow airport and five other terminals, said security at its airports remained at a high level and that the company is vigilant at all times.
The Daily Telegraph reported on its website that train stations across London were put on high alert. -Quoting an unnamed security source, it said there was no imminent threat but activity from -extremist cells had led to an adjustment in policing levels.
Britain's media said security threat levels for transport hubs have been raised as several European countries warn of a high risk of terrorism.
Police were on patrol at major hubs like St Pancras and King's Cross train stations in what seemed to be an exercise in high visibility policing aimed at reassuring the public.
British Transport Police declined to comment on the deployment of officers, but denied a Sky News report that officers had been ordered to cancel days off.
Britain's government said the overall threat level from terrorism remains at "severe" - the second-highest level, meaning an attack is highly likely. The level has not changed since January 2010.
The British Home Office said that any imminent, serious threat to -the public safety would prompt a change in the overall threat level - and would see it raised to "critical," the highest point on the system's -five point scale.
Minor day-to-day revisions of policing are standard practice to handle a threat from terrorism that Prime Minister David Cameron said in December "is as serious today as it ever has been."
Britain's move comes after France and Germany increased security after warning of a heightened threat of a terrorist attack. In October, the United States State Department advised American citizens living or traveling in Europe to be wary amid reports that terrorists were planning an attack on a European city.
The next month, German authorities ordered increased security measures, including a beefed-up police presence in railway stations, airports and other public places. France is also especially vigilant on terrorism-linked matters, following warnings in the past few months that French citizens were targets for al-Qaida. France's terror alert status is at its second-highest level.
BAA, which runs Heathrow airport and five other terminals, said security at its airports remained at a high level and that the company is vigilant at all times.
The Daily Telegraph reported on its website that train stations across London were put on high alert. -Quoting an unnamed security source, it said there was no imminent threat but activity from -extremist cells had led to an adjustment in policing levels.
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