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Security services on alert for terror attack launched from Thames
Felix Allen08.12.08
SECURITY forces in Britain are urgently devising plans to thwart a possible Mumbai-style terrorist attack launched from the Thames, experts said today.
A terrorism consultant said authorities were working "exceptionally hard" over fears that London is vulnerable to a similar outrage.
It comes after Boris Johnson revealed that security on the river was being stepped up, with the Royal Navy and Special Boat Service commandos guarding the capital against the threat of a water-borne assault.
Fears of a terror attack on London were heightened after last month's Indian atrocity, in which at least 10 Islamist gunmen are believed to have got ashore in speedboats launched from a hijacked trawler.
Key sites close to the Thames could be targeted - including the Houses of Parliament, City banks, hotels and rail stations.
The Mayor, who is regularly briefed on the terror threat to London, said: "There is a great deal of work going on. There certainly are extensive preparations to stop a Mumbai-style operation on the Thames.
"There is substantial organisation to guard against the possibility of some sort of riparian assault. Obviously this is something we have to think about, particularly for the Olympics." A 40-mile stretch of the Thames from Dartford Creek to Hampton Court is being patrolled by marine support units of the Metropolitan Police, and the SBS is said to be on short notice to react to any attack.
Counter-terrorist teams have also conducted test operations on waterways around the Olympic site to investigate the threat of a rapid amphibian assault as security forces prepare for the Games.
Terrorism expert Will Geddes, whose London-based firm IPC advised on security for the Athens and Sydney Olympics, told the Standard: "Water-borne threats are something that would be very much addressed in any security plans. The Met police and the Government will be working exceptionally hard to ensure they are testing for every type of threat.
"The Mumbai scenario is definitely included in this type of testing and counter measures will be put in place."
Terrorism analysts across government have reportedly been ordered to review Britain's ability to withstand or prevent an organised attack on the scale of that in Mumbai. The review includes a close look at whether the Thames is sufficiently patrolled and whether there is adequate surveillance of the sea approaches around Britain.
Reader views (7)
Can we say, "knee-jerk" anyone?
That has always been a possibility throughout history. Sane people cannot go around quaking with fear at what might be - something that the terrorists of the world want! It is their bread and butter.
I, for one, have no intention of letting the extremists of the world rule my life. I have no intention of staying in my home, in my city, in my country just in case someone somewhere might do something utterly evil. I'll either deal with it or I won't - but what I will not do is fear it.
- Rogan, Irving
One important resource that is overlooked on the river is the people who live alongside it. There are high-rise flats on the banks right through the middle of London, and there are a lot of retired people living near me who are home all day as well as the working people there in the evenings and on weekends. And yet there seems to be no way of reporting something unless you dial 999 (which you can hardly ring just because you see a boat with no lights on) or the non-emergency police number, which I tried once for something else, and found to be entirely unhelpful. At the very least they should leaflet the riverside areas and give a number to call that gets straight through to the river police.
- Freya, London
Frank and Airstrip are right. We are all SICK TO DEATH of the endless fear-mongering.
- Alexander De Large, London
Omg, the State is totally out of control. Wake up Britain! They're just doing this to get more control over you and take more of your liberties away!
- Dante, Hollywood
"...with the Royal Navy and Special Boat Service commandos guarding the capital against the threat of a water-borne assault."
Really? Unless HMS Belfast is going to be re-commissioned aren't the Navy a bit stretched at the moment ?
- Dixon Kipretich, Ugley, Essex
I suggest that if a bunch of hippies can invade Stansted airport without any problem, then I think the counter terrorist lot have bigger problems.
- Frank, Home Counties, England
Terrorism is conducted by the security services, especially Mossad. We are being duped and hoodwinked into believing in Muslim terrorists.
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE .
