'Attack on London is inevitable'
· Tube, buses and pubs all potential targets, warns Stevens
· Public vigilance urged as huge security effort begins
The Guardian UK | Mar 17, 2004 | Rosie Cowan
London's police chief warned yesterday of the ever-widening terrorist threat to the capital, stressing that bombers could strike not just on the rail or tube network but virtually anywhere - pubs, nightclubs, buses or roads.
Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan police commissioner, described the huge security effort, with hundreds of officers working at full stretch to try to prevent an atrocity.
Sir John and the city's mayor, Ken Livingstone, pledged to do everything in their power to protect the public, but they urged Londoners to be on their guard, stressing that community vigilance was the best weapon against terrorism.
Sir John agreed with Mr Livingstone, who said: "It would be miraculous if, with all the terrorist resources arranged against us, terrorists did not get through, and given that some are prepared to give their own lives, it would be inconceivable that someone does not get through to London."
The threat has not worsened since the Madrid bombings - the UK has stepped up security since the September 11 attacks on the US in 2001 and has been on the second highest state of alert, severe general, since November.
READ MORE
· Tube, buses and pubs all potential targets, warns Stevens
· Public vigilance urged as huge security effort begins
The Guardian UK | Mar 17, 2004 | Rosie Cowan
London's police chief warned yesterday of the ever-widening terrorist threat to the capital, stressing that bombers could strike not just on the rail or tube network but virtually anywhere - pubs, nightclubs, buses or roads.
Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan police commissioner, described the huge security effort, with hundreds of officers working at full stretch to try to prevent an atrocity.
Sir John and the city's mayor, Ken Livingstone, pledged to do everything in their power to protect the public, but they urged Londoners to be on their guard, stressing that community vigilance was the best weapon against terrorism.
Sir John agreed with Mr Livingstone, who said: "It would be miraculous if, with all the terrorist resources arranged against us, terrorists did not get through, and given that some are prepared to give their own lives, it would be inconceivable that someone does not get through to London."
The threat has not worsened since the Madrid bombings - the UK has stepped up security since the September 11 attacks on the US in 2001 and has been on the second highest state of alert, severe general, since November.
READ MORE
