Terror warning for business chiefs

Peter Clarke, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, warned that terrorist groups want to destroy rather than merely disrupt City institutions.

He said he was not satisfied with the flow of potentially crucial information between the police, security services and businesses. And he said the Government could consider giving tax breaks and other incentives to encourage businesses to protect themselves better.

Speaking at a gathering of City leaders at Lloyd's in central London, he said: "The issue is not of business continuity but of business survival.

"What I am not content with at the moment is the linkage between intelligence, law enforcement and the wider business community.

"There are good links at a range of levels. There are a number of information flows.

"But I don't think that we yet mesh together in a way that enables us to benefit to the greatest extent from each other's contacts, experience and knowledge."

Mr Clarke said business leaders should also consider the massive implications on the economy of a "catastrophic" attack on international air travel.

He said: "Let's not fall into the trap of constantly saying the threat has been exaggerated. It is a constant refrain. From my perspective, if only that was so.

"Security needs to be looking outwards, and perhaps facing a threat from the perspective of risk management, what can be done to incentivise the business industry to take appropriate measures to defend itself?"