Two arrested in blast probe

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Eyewitnesses said the arrests took place on Friday afternoon in Old Town Street, in the centre of Plymouth, the home town of bomb suspect Nicky Reilly.

Police said Reilly carried a home-made bomb made with a mixture of chemicals and nails into the Giraffe family restaurant in Exeter on Thursday lunchtime. He was slightly injured when it exploded but no one else was hurt.

Eyewitnesses said two dark-skinned men were arrested during the operation in Plymouth.

Rebecca Pope, 25, said she was looking out of a window above the Bagatelle Cafe when she heard shouting. She said armed police pointed weapons at the men, who were sitting at a table outside the cafe with a child in a pushchair. "Everyone was screaming," said Ms Pope. She said both of the men were searched and put into paper suits before being placed in unmarked cars. The pushchair was taken away by a policewoman.

Police sources later revealed the bomb was a "viable" device constructed of sodium hydroxide, kerosene, strips of aluminium foil and nails. Reilly also received a text message of encouragement moments before leaving his Plymouth home on the failed suicide mission, sources said.

Police are hunting others they believe persuaded easily-influenced Reilly to attempt the suicide bombing.

Sources close to the inquiry said the bomb was a fireball-type device that was extremely volatile and may have been detonated by shaking. Detectives are investigating whether the backroom restaurant toilet was the intended place for detonation.

It also emerged Reilly travelled on a bus with 54 passengers to the restaurant in Exeter's £230 million Princesshay shopping centre at around 12.50pm. The 22-year-old was arrested at the scene after police found him staggering outside with serious facial injuries and burns.

Reilly, who recently converted to Islam, had a low IQ, a diagnosed mental illness and had been in and out of residential treatment. Counter terrorist police already suspected Reilly had forged loose links to known Islamic extremists in south west England.