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22ND NOV 2008
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 Students planning on travelling in the next week or so should read the following article particularly if flying from Heathrow Airport. A terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid flight from the UK to the US has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said. The plan appears to have been to detonate up to three explosive devices smuggled on aircraft in hand luggage.
After an anti-terrorist operation lasting several months, the police have arrested about 18 people in the London area.
The security at all UK airports have been tightened causing delays. The MI5 have also raised the UK threat level to critical – the highest possible. According to the MI5’s website, critical threat level means “an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK”.
 Home Secretary, John Reid confirmed that there had apparently been a plot “to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions causing a considerable loss of life”
The BBC have suggested that “the principal characters” suspected of being involved in the plot were all born in Britain.
The US Department of Homeland Security said the increased level applied to commercial flights originating in the UK.
The Home Office confirmed there had been overnight meetings and on Thursday morning of the Cabinet’s emergency committee, Cobra, chaired by Mr Reid, to discuss the terror alert.
A spokesman for Number 10 said Tony Blair had briefed George Bush on the situation during the night.
All passengers were banned from taking any hand luggage onto flights, while the government warned of delays. Heathrow Airport has warned travellers to stay at home if possible.
Provided by The Student Zone (United Kingdom)
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