Six arrested in anti-terror operation across London

[dipsydoodle]

Five men and a woman suspected of terrorism offences have been arrested in London as part of an intelligence-led investigation involving MI5.

One of the six, who are aged between 18 and 30, was tasered by police. Eight homes in west, east and north London and one business are being searched.

It is understood the arrests relate to a possible plot involving Islamist extremists, with potential UK targets.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18720213

In another incident just breaking on BBC the M6 has been closed and a coach is surrounded by armed police.

Link now up : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-18719962

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Most I can find so far on the M6 incident is someone mixing chemicals

The road was closed on Thursday morning in both directions between junctions 3 and 4 at Weeford Park Plaza, near Lichfield. West Midlands. Police said the coach was on the hard shoulder and had "stopped of its own accord".

Sources from West Midlands police told the BBC that the incident was not linked to counter-terrorism raids in London, and police had not stopped the coach as part of a planned operation.

It is believed that a passenger on the coach was seen pouring liquid into a box which created fumes, which resulted in police being alerted at around 8.20am. The police were not able to confirm the reports.

The Highways Agency said traffic was stationary and the closure was likely to remain in place until early afternoon. The fire service, officers from West Midlands and Staffordshire police and ambulance crews went to the scene to help people off the coach. Passengers remained on the hard shoulder several hours after the alert.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jul/05/m6-toll-road-closed-armed-police?newsfeed=true

It might turn out to be some idiot doing something he thought was innocuous, but the driver wasn't taking any chances. We'll have to wait and see.

[dipsydoodle]

2. I only mentioned it

Last edited Thu Jul 5, 2012, 07:30 AM - Edit history (1)

because I'd seen that on the ticker first , before it was fully posted, and then the London issue. I thought maybe they'd stopped the coach to nick somebody who's skipped London but later news said it was travelling south from Preston.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. BBC: "We are also not treating anyone as a suspect"

"Following an initial assessment, we can confirm that no-one has been injured and that there is no danger to passengers at the scene or any other travellers who were on the motorway at that time.

"We are also not treating anyone as a suspect."

I hope it was at least smoke, and not just steam. It'd be ridiculous for this to have happened because someone was making a Pot Noodle from a thermos or something.

On edit: The Pot Noodle solution is looking more likely:

They would not comment on reports that a passenger on board was seen pouring hot water into a bag, causing others onboard to alert the driver.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/05/m6-coach-passengers-evacuated-police

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. M6 terror alert was caused by electronic cigarette

The coach was near the M6 toll plaza at Weeford, near Lichfield, when the passenger reported seeing vapour coming out of another traveller's bag.

Armed officers led passengers off the coach and the toll road was closed in both directions for more than four hours.

"The information received concerned a report of vapour escaping from a bag which on investigation turned out to be a health improvement aid for smokers," a force spokeswoman said.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/m6-terror-alert-was-caused-by-electronic-cigarette-7913187.html

[customerserviceguy]

3. I'm certain that the London Olympics are an extremely tempting target

I actually expect a significant incident to occur, there are too many forces that want one, and not enough to stop all possible attacks.

[non sociopath skin]

4. I fear we'll be seeing a lot more of this kind of stuff in the next few weeks ...

... more's the pity.

The Skin