Bomber 'a polite, educated boy'

A father of two spoke today of his “utter devastation” on finding that his next-door neighbour was a London suicide bomber.

The taxi driver, 37, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lived next door to Shehzad Tanweer and his family, after moving five years ago to Colwyn Road in Beeston, Leeds.

The neighbour, who is from Yorkshire and not of Asian origin, said he never imagined the “polite, educated boy” who lived next door was one of the bombers.

“It is utterly devastating. I am totally gobsmacked, I just can’t believe it. I can’t put into words how I feel.” he said.

“I was totally shocked by the bombings as everyone was, watching it on the news, but then to find out it was your next door neighbour.

“I used to speak to Shehzad in the street, just to say, ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good afternoon’.

“He seemed a nice enough lad, just nice and normal.

“He was always well spoken. He seemed like a normal teenager, he didn’t have a beard, he wore sports tops, tracksuit bottoms and trainers – like anybody else really.

“I know he was a keen cricketer, I use to see him playing cricket in their garden. He just seemed like a well educated polite young man.

“His father, Mumtaz, is a lovely bloke, a really nice fella. He’s always very well spoken is Mumtaz. He just seems like a family man who thinks a lot about his family and runs his business.

“The last time I saw Mumtaz was the day before the bombs. I was on my way to work and we just said, ‘Good evening’ to each other.

“I am very very shocked by it all. I can’t really describe how I feel. There are that many police about and reporters outside the house, it feels unreal.

“I would never have though in a million years he was anything at all to do with this.

“They are such a nice decent, family, always pleasant and well spoken.

“Especially in the Asian community, their traditions are a lot to do with the family and respect, and they are a very well respected family within their community.”

Tanweer’s neighbour said he first discovered the truth when the police arrived yesterday morning.

“My wife went to open the front window and said, ‘The police are outside.’

“All the road was cordoned off. We got up and went out and the police just said they couldn’t tell us anything. The next thing we found out was it was to do with the family next door and we saw it on the news.”

Shehzad Tanweer’s neighbour said the police have been at the house since 7am yesterday and the street remains cordoned off.