ALERT BUT NOT ALARMED is the police mantra in the Uk after the Madrid train bombs.
Meanwhile British Transport Police renewed their call for vigilance by the public against possible terrorist attacks in London. As part of the continuing Government campaign against the threat from terrorism, police on March 15 said they have stepped up patrols on the London Underground system including, for the first time, deploying plain clothes counter terrorist patrols to key locations. These measures were taken before Thursday’s bomb explosions in Madrid and are not connected.
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What they say
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Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter from the British Transport Police said: ‘This is a joint operation involving BTP, the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police and Transport for London. I must emphasise that we have received no specific threat to the London Underground or rail system, nevertheless, the threat from terrorism remains very real as the events in Madrid show. London is on a high level of alert and the London
Underground system is controlled public space, with hundreds of staff at stations, extensive CCTV coverage and its own dedicated police resources. A further, crucial element is the vigilance of customers. With three million travelling every day, they can provide millions of eyes and ears across the whole system. We have an active security regime in place on the Underground involving police, London Underground staff and management, a regime that is frequently changed as security measures are under constant review. These new policing initiatives and our appeal to passengers are part of that.’
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Police are appealing to passengers to be pro-active in reporting anything suspicious, asking other passengers if they see an item they believe to be unattended – Who owns this bag? – and reporting it immediately to London Underground staff or police if it is unclaimed. Posters will be appearing on the London Underground system this week. As part of the security regime, passengers may see police officers conducting "stop and search" procedures on stations. If passengers are subject to such searches, they are asked to be patient in supporting the continuing fight against terrorism. These measures come as security experts from Metro systems around the world met in London last week to review methods of combating terrorism at a conference hosted by the BTP, London Underground and its infrastructure partners Metronet and Tube Lines. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Anti-Terrorist Branch, said: ‘The despicable attacks in Madrid show only too clearly that the threat from terrorism remains very real. London continues to be on a high level of alert and security across the capital remains under constant review. We will do whatever is necessary to protect the public from harm. Public vigilance is vital at all times, not only when travelling on the Tube or rail network.’
