THE TELEGRAPH: Police have arrested five suspected Islamist terrorists, working as street cleaners in London, over an alleged plan [to] assassinate the Pope.
The men were arrested during raids at 5.45am at a rubbish depot in central London based on an intelligence tip off received overnight.
The suspects, aged 26, 27, 36, 40 and 50 were arrested by officers from Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
They are said to be from a variety of nationalities including a number of Algerian origin.
The depot where they worked is less than a mile from Hyde Park where the Pope was due to hold a prayer vigil tomorrow evening.
As street cleaners they would have been able to move relatively freely and inconspicuously through the London crowds.
Westminster City Council said the men worked for Veolia Environmental Services, a contractor which employs 650 on-street staff to keep Westminster's streets clean and free from rubbish.
The men have been taken to a central London police station where they will be interviewed by detectives.
Searches are being carried out under the Terrorism Act 2000 at the rubbish depot and at residential premises in north and east London. >>> Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | Friday, September 17, 2010
Here we go again! Adherents of the ‘religion of peace’ stirring up trouble. When are we going to come to terms with reality? With all these Muslims living amongst us, we are never going to be able to live as freely as we used to, never going to be able to be anything other than extremely vigilant. It is going to cost us a fortune in security services. The whole situation is ludicrous. And unsustainable! And why? What do we want these people here for, only to endanger innocent people's lives? – © Mark
THE TELEGRAPH: Pope visit: six man arrested over alleged assassination plot: Police have arrested a sixth man on terrorist charges over an alleged plan to assassinate the Pope. >>> Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | Friday, September 17, 2010
