Police foil plot to bomb airliners

Police say they have foiled a plot to blow up aircraft flying from Britain to the United States, using liquid explosives disguised as drinks.

Twenty-four people were arrested in raids in London, High Wycombe and Birmingham in the early hours of 10 August.

Chaos at airports

Airports across Britain were thrown into chaos as new security measures were introduced immediately. Passengers were banned from taking almost all hand luggage onto flights, and liquids were banned from the cabin altogether.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled at Heathrow, and there were long queues at airports including Birmingham, as passengers were searched and told to put their belongings in plastic bags.

The threat level was raised to critical, the highest level, meaning an attack was expected imminently.

The plot

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke of the Metropolitan Police said the plot involved smuggling explosives onto aircraft in hand luggage and detonating them in flight. He said the intention was to commit mass murder on an unimaginable scale.

Police believe the plotters planned to target several transatlantic flights. The operation had been under way for months, and involved the intelligence services and authorities in Pakistan and the United States.

Government response

The Home Secretary, John Reid, said the police and security services had prevented an attack that could have caused loss of life on an unprecedented scale. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who is on holiday, was kept informed throughout the night.

Around the world

Airports around the world have increased security, particularly on flights to and from Britain and the United States. American officials said the plot was sophisticated and involved several aircraft.

Lasting changes

Airlines and airports expect the new security measures to last for some time. Experts say restrictions on liquids in hand luggage could become permanent, even if other rules are relaxed.

The arrests come just over a year after the bombings in London on 7 July 2005, which killed 52 people.

The suspects are being questioned at a high-security police station in London. Under the law, they can be held for up to 28 days without charge.