News

Bomb hunt police raid address

Last updated at 00:00am on 22.07.05

Detectives investigating yesterday's attempted bombings in London are searching an address in West Kilburn, Scotland Yard said today.

Armed police were at the scene in north west London as a precaution and no arrests have been made, a spokesman said.

Witnesses reported that a small area of Harrow Road had been cordoned and what looked like a bomb disposal vehicle was in the area.

They said police had told them to stay indoors although the area had not been evacuated.

Huse Monferardi, who lives in Portnall Road, just off Harrow Road, said: "From my window I can see 20 doors down what looks like a bomb disposal-type vehicle. It's armoured and there are several armed officers around it.

"About half an hour ago, the police ran up my road telling everyone to get inside their houses.

"Anyone who even puts their head out, they scream 'get inside your house'.

"About 15 minutes ago I saw a little remote-controlled vehicle.

"It went round to the left and then it disappeared from my view.

"It was followed by a couple of armed officers with shields."

Patricia Osbourne, who was out on the street, said she had heard six sounds that she believed were gunshots.

"We could quite clearly hear that there were shots being fired," she said.

"We could hear it but we couldn't see it.

"But I can definitely say that there was six sounds that definitely sounded like shots."

Mrs Osbourne said she could see many armed officers.

Witnesses reported that the police cordon was being extended.

Police later cordoned off an area of street at the junction of Portnall Road and Coomassie Road.

Witnesses said a house opposite the junction had been raided earlier. They described how an armoured truck containing police wearing helmets and gas masks pulled up outside.

One witness said they fired CS Gas into the house.

He also said they attempted to send a tracked vehicle down the steps.
The house was believed to be empty.