Police chief urges Britons to be vigilant

LONDON’S Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens urged the British public yesterday to be vigilant to potential terrorist activity over the festive period.

Commissioner Stevens told BBC Radio: “The threat is different in terms of suicide attacks. The activity and the actual threat has taken a quantum leap since September 11. Everyone needs to know that.”

Asked whether activity by the security services had prevented terrorist incidents over the last year, he said: “That is absolutely right, there is no doubt about that. The hard work has been successful, but we must not be complacent. We really must be vigilant.”

Commissioner Stevens was asked about comments by US Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, who warned that terrorists were planning attacks similar in scale to September 11. He warned that while he was not in receipt of warnings of that nature, the security level in Britain was raised six weeks ago “for good reason”.

He said: “Six weeks ago the necessary actions were taken. We have raised our level. There is an immense amount of activity going on even as I speak in terms of ensuring that people’s security is there and more of that will go on over Christmas and the New Year.”