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'Police have crystal clear video image of car bomber'
Last updated at 15:22pm on 30.06.07Police have a 'crystal clear' video image of a man who tried to kill hundreds of people by blowing up two cars in central London, according to reports.
After a second bomb was found yesterday, there are now fears that other bombs could be primed and parked around the capital.
An American television report said investigators already know the face of one of the men responsible, but police - who are still studing footage from hundreds of CCTV and congestion charge cameras - are refusing to confirm this.
It's thought the image shows the man "staggering" from the first car after parking it outside a West End nightclub.
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown today chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to consider the official response to yesterday's failed car bombs.
It was the second meeting of the committee bringing together ministers - including Home Secretary Jacqui Smith - with senior police, security service agents and Whitehall officials to co-ordinate operations to catch the bombers and maintain security.
The meeting came as London Mayor Ken Livingstone warned that the capital faced "a very real threat" of further terrorist attack, and called on Londoners to be "vigilant".
Mr Brown this morning went to New Scotland Yard for a briefing from senior officers on the progress of their inquiries.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "It was a private meeting. Mr Brown was briefed on the current security situation and thanked frontline staff."
Mr Livingstone urged Londoners to keep their eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary which might indicate a follow-up attack.
"The discovery of two potential car bombs in central London, with those responsible still at large, means we face a very real threat of terrorist attack at this moment in time," he said.
"It is imperative that all Londoners are vigilant and provide any information at all which may have any possible relevance to the Metropolitan Police immediately."
Speaking after the Cobra meeting, Ms Smith said: "We were updated on the police operation and the Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank the police and the security services for all their hard work over the last 48 hours.
"The Prime Minister stressed that all parts of Government have got to work together to combat the terror threat. I am satisfied that across Government and with the police and agencies, we are doing all we can to protect the public.
"The police are clear that the most important contribution that the public can make is to carry on reporting anything suspicious and to be vigilant, and I would ask them to do that.
"But I must stress that we mustn't let the threat of terror stop us from getting on with our lives." Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, who attended the meeting, said: "It's essential we all stand together against those who threaten our way of life.
"I'm most encouraged by the support shown by leaders of our Muslim communities across the country."
The second petrol, gas and nail bomb was discovered in a Mercedes towed to a car pound after being found illegally parked in the West End.
The vehicle had been left just yards from the spot outside a nightclub where two bomb-disposal officers risked their lives to make the first rigged car safe.
The silver car was left outside the Tiger Tiger nightclub on Haymarket. A gas canister can be seen in the bottom left-hand corner of this picture
With vapour coming from the 60 litres of petrol, gas cylinders and nails packed inside, the pair entered the vehicle to disable the mobile phone trigger device.
Anti-terrorist officers say the bomb was primed to explode minutes later, around 2am, as up to 800 revellers spilled from the Tiger Tiger club on to the Haymarket.
The discovery of two devices has left anti-terror detectives asking "How many more?" as thousands of officers searched the capital for other suspect vehicles and for the terrorist cell. They are keenly aware that in previous major attacks on the capital at least four bombs were used.
It's also been reported nightclubs across Britain were given a warning from police two weeks ago that they could be terrorism targets.
One officer said London had enjoyed "extraordinarily good fortune" in escaping mass slaughter.
The second car had been parked close to the first and was believed to have been timed to explode around 15 minutes after the initial blast, targeting rescue workers and emergency services as they tended the wounded.
Had either or both gone off, experts said hundreds could have died or suffered appalling injuries in a fireball that would have spread 100 yards down Haymarket.
Red-hot shrapnel from the remains of the vehicle and nails deliberately scattered on its floor and in the boot would have torn through the air at hundreds of miles an hour, causing maximum casualties.
"It would have been a massive fireball," said one source.
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"There is no doubt that it would have killed and injured hundreds of people. If it had gone off it would have been carnage."
The Baghdad-style attack would have mirrored those carried out by Al Qaeda and immediate suspicion fell on Islamic extremists.
Two Al Qaeda-linked terror plots using car bombs to target nightclubs have been foiled by Scotland Yard and MI5 in the last two years but yesterday's attack was the closest the terrorists have been to success.
It emerged last night that hours before the first bomb was found, a message on a jihadist website proclaimed: "Today I say: Rejoice by Allah, London shall be bombed."
Posted in the "Al Hesbah" chatroom, the message suggested the attack was linked to the war in Iraq and to the controversial author Salman Rushdie, whose award of a knighthood earlier this month sparked outrage in the Islamic world.
Only a chance sequence of events begun by a drunken man requiring medical treatment outside the club led to the Haymarket bomb being deactivated.
An ambulance crew called to the scene saw what they thought was smoke - which is now believed to be petrol vapour - coming from a light metallic green Mercedes apparently abandoned on the pavement a few feet from the club at 1.30am.
They called the police after seeing gas canisters and petrol containers in the vehicle.
As the area was sealed off and up to 800 evacuated from the club to join hundreds of others on the West End's streets, bomb disposal officers who rushed to the scene deactivated the trigger mechanism.
The Haymarket is in the very heart of London, close to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square and half a mile from Downing Street.
The second car bomb - a blue 280E Mercedes - was parked illegally in Cockspur Street, which leads from Haymarket to Trafalgar Square.
It was towed away by a Westminster Council lorry.
Again, a device with two mobile phones linked by wire to canisters on the back seat is said to have been found inside.
A security source said the lack of a mobile signal in the car pound underneath Hyde Park may have prevented the bomb going off there.
Park Lane car park employee Ispan Chowdhury, 39, said: "This blue Mercedes came in at 3.15am. My colleague said that there was something smelling inside the car.
The first suspect car outside Tiger Tiger
"He said it smelt like gas. He said not to take it into the car park and to leave it outside the office."
He said police told staff to evacuate the pound at 1.15pm and officers spent the afternoon examining the 600 and 700 cars in it.
The blue Mercedes contained very similar materials to those of the first car - fuel, gas canisters and nails.
Scotland Yard Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke said: "This, like the first device, was potentially viable and was made safe by the explosives officers. The vehicles are clearly linked.
"The discovery of what appears to be a second bomb is obviously troubling and reinforces the need for the public to be alert."
Last night as police hunted a new terrorist cell, a massive review of security was under way, with tomorrow's Princess Diana memorial concert at Wembley Stadium, to be attended by Princes William and Harry, a particular concern.
The foiled bombing came just a week before the second anniversary of the Al Qaeda inspired July 7 suicide bombings on London's transport system that left 52 innocent people dead.
A terrorist atrocity had been feared in the days leading up to Tony Blair standing down as Prime Minister but the terrorists chose instead to launch their attack within hours of Gordon Brown taking over at 10 Downing Street.
Huge areas of Central London was sealed off yesterday as forensic officers examined the scene.
The Government's emergency response committee, Cobra, met within hours of the bomb's discovery.
The current threat level for terrorism in the UK, set by MI5, is classed as "severe", one level lower than the highest "critical2.
Last night police were checking for links to a massive car bomb found by French police near Aixen-Provence.
The entrance to the car pound at the Park Lane Car Park
Reader views (31)
Another attempted attrocity.
The war in Iraq cannot be and must not be blamed for every piece of mindless criminal act perpetrated by 'religious' zealots.
What has certainly occurred in Iraq is the creation of a vacuum following the removal of the criminally insane despot, which has left the way open for power crazy crackpots to exploit the situation to satisfy their own evil aspirations, with the help of insidious 'neighbours'
Please do not cast blame on others for the actions of these depraved individuals and give support to the military forces out there giving their lives in an attempt to bring democracy to the majority.
The average Iraqi citizen is pleading for the forces not to leave.
Is it suggested that the average Iraqi citizen is bombing and maiming British and American forces? I think not.
Now, get real Britain, there are many enemys in our midst now.
For a measured period of time forget the Human Rights Act, which was created for different reasons than terrorism. Give the security forces what they need to do their job, particularly our unparalelled support and stop whingeing when you are put to some inconvenience - there is a war on here.
- Jp Dorset, UK
Mates... at times like this it is we who have to respond proactively and not blame our nation's leaders or their foreign policy. We need to realise that the world all over has been terrorised in a massive manner and only if we stand strong against shall we be able to justify that London will still move on and London has never succumbed to such petty threats.
- Rajat Kumar, Surrey, United Kingdom
This government is still involved in the biggest foreign policy disgrace ever and shows no sign of either admitting the error or apologising for the suffering they've caused. Iraq was based on lies and the conceipt of a few men (Bush, Cheney, Blair) all of whom are deeply religious nutcases who believe that all's well because God says so. 'We' need to understand that we've caused this blowback, which is based on a justified reaction to our actions, and as long as we deny this we'll be bombed in the streets of London, as thousands are in Iraq. Bush and Blair said this was 'war', what the hell did we expect?
- Bobby Smith, Surrey, London
Wake up people. Bush and Blair did not start this. Islamic killers have been at war with the west for decades. How soon we all forget. Our war on terror will not breed more terrorists, sitting on our butts surely will! Learn from Hitler, did giving him land in the 1930s with no challenge keep him from attacking England? It's time to fight for our civilization.
- Jr, Gerrards Cross, UK
The comment by Jonathan in London is not relevant to the issues at hand, and is an irritation as far as I am concerned. Being more vigilant does not reasonably mean that we can give up the lifestyles that we lead, and the cultures which we involve ourselves in. By definition then, you cannot "fully" agree with the concept of life going on. That act of having continous music stream and reading on the go is a substantial portion of those people's culture and lifestyle, and it is not necessary to be condescending over that lifestyle. In fact what it can be, is an efficient way for youth (and all others) to be mentally challenged and exercised in a city which demands long periods of travel. It is not logical nor reasonable to make a snide suggestion off-topic as you have.
- Andrew Trott, London, UK
I find it incredible that the anti-terror bollards were removed from the front of Victoria station AFTER the July bombings. Surely the government should be making swift moves to install potential targets like this with as much protection as possible - rather than removing it: however they seem more concerned with not upsetting certain sectors of the population, rather than having the balls to make it as difficult as possible. Unfortunately I am sure that we'll be seeing many more attempts by these unhinged fanatical nutters on ordinary people going about their daily lives. It makes me so angry I can hardly speak.
- Roo Ra'S Ma, London
The UK Government is not responsible for these acts of terror, but it is responsible for a peculiar mismanagement of immigration and security which makes us more vulnerable in this country than any other western country. How can the Government or security services really know what's going on if we have apparently 500,000 illegal immigrants? I'm sorry, but this new Government gives me little confidence when the main criteria for appointing the Home Secretary is that she should be female.
- Dan, Surrey
"It strike me as lunacy to suggest that the government are responsible for these acts. "
If 9/11 was a government conspiracy, surely they'd have made sure there were fifteen Iraqis involved, not Saudis?
- Michael, London
I find it sad that people like Tal continue to blame the government for these acts of terror. According to people like him, governments were responsible for 9/11, 7/7 and this latest attack. Why do they want to defend terrorists? Do they agree with their acts? It strike me as lunacy to suggest that the government are responsible for these acts. Thank goodness the majority of Britons have brains and don't believe this rubbish!
- Anthony, London, W2
We did not start the "War on terror". The terror started many years ago by the precursor to Al Qaeda. The most recent attacks were 7/7 and 9/11. Prior to that AQ attacked US interests in Africa, the middle east and of course the WTC in 1993. Those caught were famously quoted saying "we will be back".
For those that blame Tony Blair and in doing so hope to appease Islamic terorism, perhaps you might ask yourselves why Sunnis and Shias continue to murder each other with such efficiency in Iraq, why the Sudanese Govt. is murdering fellow Muslims in Darfur. Why are the Taliban once again trying to return Afghanistan back to before the middle ages?
Blair & Bush's Iraq adventure was stupid and unjustified. They have only succeeded in letting Islamic terrorism out of the bottle. I fear the situation will only worsen once Iran (one of the key sponsors of Islamic terrorism) has a working atomic bomb.
- Marc, Harrow, UK
The good news is that the Houses of Parliament have had security increased, so MPs will not be harmed.
The bad news is that PM Brown has said we peasants must be vigilant, as he is too busy calculating how much more he needs to save for a million pound home in London than to care about us.
- P.Robinson, Northants
I agree fully with those who say that our lives must go on, and that we must not be cowed by these psychopathic cowards.
I have, though, permitted myself a wry smile at the exhortations from the authorities for London residents and workers to remain vigilant at all times - given the number of people I see (and indeed frequently collide with) every morning and evening walking along the streets of the West End either wearing headphones blasting out loud music AND with their noses buried in a book or newspaper, or completely engrossed in a mobile phone conversation, both to the complete disregard of everything and everyone around them.
- Jonathan, London
Steve R - A war on terror ok, but why attack Iraq when if you knew anything about Saddam he for one hated the likes of Bin Laden and Al Quaida?
- Paul Urban, London, UK
Drive Car at 02:00 into London and RUN AWAY
UTTER COWARDS
- Steve Morgan, Surbiton
This is Tony Blair's legacy.
- Sean, London
Someone else apart from the terrorist who left the car and device behind, such as their relative/friend, must know this terrorist. Let us kindly help the police by supplying information about this person. A person with such a killer mentality should never be protected even if they are closely related to us. The only place they deserve to live is a prison cell until they realise how severely brainwashed they have been, by whatever environment they chose to live.
- Baz, London
We started the war on terror, we've killed God knows how many innocent people, we've destroyed the future and way of life for millions, we've created future terrorists for generations to come. Well done us!
- Smith, London
I was in Tiger Tiger last night and don't think for one minute that this didn't happen. We were herded out the back door at just gone 2am. None of us had a clue what was going on - but the bouncers there were excellent. They kept control of the situation and everyone was calm. When we left we saw all the police only 50m away but I had no clue what could have happened. All I can say now looking back, is thank you to Tiger Tiger for the bouncers and obviously the police who do such a fantastic job.
- Michael, London, UK
I guess it's time to ban gas cannisters. Can't really agree with all the messages of defiance - I expect you'd sing a different tune if ever you fell victim to such an attack and doesn't account for previous victims of such attacks.
- Richard Warwick, London
Thank God the security staff had the proper training, got suspicious and alerted the police in a timely manner. These guys deserve a medal, they are the ones who saved many many lives in the first place.
- Chris, London
I think George Bush and Tony Blair have been correct all along. We are involved in a war on terror that needs to be won. These terrorists have no thought for innocent lives, and simply want to subdue and cow us into submission. It is right that we fight this foe with all available means to preserve our freedoms and way of life.
- Steve R, London, UK
Those lads that defused that car should be up for a George Cross each, bravery at extreme odds against them!
- Steve Evans, Malta
Interesting choice of device. There's been a series of fires around London in recent months involving gas canisters. Any connection?
- Mark, South-East London
These terrorists should keep one thing in mind: the vast majority of British people do not agree with the war in Iraq; but if we are all targeted in this fashion, then we will be a people far more united against terror. In the end, terrorism always defeats itself.
- Philip, London, England
The bombers should understand that if there's one city where terror tactics like this will have no effect it is London.
We've seen it all before, and far bigger men and women than the cowards who leave bombs to maime innocent people can and will cope with whatever happens.
These kinds of incidents unite Londoners who won't fall into the little trap the bombers are laying, hoping we will turn on each other. We will not.
Just grow up!
- Christopher, London
Tal, we were targeted by a violent group of religious extremists long before US/British soldiers set foot in Iraq or Afghanistan. This isn't some diversionary tactic, they want to kill civilians and destroy our liberal, democratic way of life, imposing their own medieval version of society on us. You may believe in conspiracy theories or anything else, that is your right. However, I am not afraid of these people and I am very grateful that the bomb was found and diffused in time.
- Susan, London, UK
I have to agree with Tal, it wouldn't surprise me if this is just a government ploy with many reasons to justify the continuing presence in the Middle East and to keep up the pressure on the public by the government for the need of ID cards.
- Paul Urban, London, UK
C'mon - do you believe everything you see and hear? No coincidence then that Brown's just got the keys to No 10. Not necessarily a conspiracy theorist but don't forget a whole country in the Middle East is at war based on a pack of lies. To paraphrase: Keep them in fear and they won't notice everything else going wrong...
- Tal, London, UK
'Very saddening' - what planet is Jack Straw on? This could have killed and maimed hundreds, and he thinks it's sad! How about a little more emotion Mr Straw - Straw by name, and Straw by backbone!
- Gary Parker, Amersham
All I can say is thank God that we have people who know how to defuse these bombs and a police force to control the situation. It was crucial that the alarm was raised in time by the night club staff. We really do need to pray for protection from all those who cause fear and the destruction of life.
- Audrey Hogan, Warrington, United Kingdom
This is very bad news for our country.
- Seraj, Leicester UK
