The warning — the bluntest issued by police — has underlined an assessment that a terrorist cell may be preparing an attack on London early next year.
Security sources said concerns had been raised by “chatter” on a prominent jihadist website two weeks ago. One contributor suggested fighters could use automatic weapons to strike places such as nightclubs, sporting venues and Jewish centres. In an online discussion hosted on December 2, another contributor invited suggestions for carrying out “guerrilla warfare” and proposed “a group of mujaheddin raid police stations and fire at them”.
Another said: “Make sure that all those at the location are of age, that there are no children and so on. Insist on the locations and times where no Muslims or children are to be expected.
| It looks like this bunch have accepted at least some of the new thinking on jihad. Goody. |
The Met is understood to be struggling to draw up effective plans to deal with the challenge of mass shootings followed by a prolonged siege with terrorists prepared to kill their hostages and themselves. In Mumbai, many victims were killed in the first half hour of the attack. The Met is concerned that it will be much longer before the SAS, which has traditionally dealt with terrorist sieges in London, would arrive from its base at RegentÂ’s Park barracks.
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns, indeed. | Clearly, it's time for Londoners to think in terms of defence... although given the draconian gun laws, alternative methods should be the primary option. Any thoughts, O Rantburgers? |
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