Search continues at house used as bomb factory

POLICE yesterday continued to search a house used as an operational base for terrorists involved in the London bombings, and materials used in the attacks may have been stored there.

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, said the house in the Hyde Park area of the city was not used as a family home. Up to 600 people were evacuated from the vicinity of the house on Tuesday morning before police and army bomb disposal experts used a controlled explosion to gain access to the property.

Speaking about the terrorists, Mr Mulholland said: “It seems that this is an operating base for them rather than any of their homes. It’s not a question of this being a family home. I understand this is where the material may have been stored.”

He said none of the bombers were linked to the address where the police and army investigation was going on.

“Clearly there’s an issue of public safety and no one will be allowed back until it is safe to do so,” he said.

On Tuesday, police and army bomb disposal experts could be seen working outside the property which police said was at the centre of a slow, methodical and intense investigation.

A mechanical robot and soldiers wearing protective equipment could be seen outside the house, which was described by police as a back-to-back small dwelling on a housing estate.

An ambulance crew remained on standby nearby as West Yorkshire Police chief constable Colin Cramphorn said there was a “potential threat of an explosion” at the scene.

Mr Mulholland was in the area to reassure residents who were still being kept away from their homes following the evacuation.

He said he had taken pizzas from a Muslim-run takeaway to the people who were evacuated and taking refuge at the Kirkstall Leisure Centre last night.

“There may be people who will try to divide us after what has happened but the message is absolutely loud and clear.

“That is, we will not be divided, we will not give in to the terrorists. We will remain united,” he said.