Fears over mass UK hostage-taking

Scotland Yard is investigating intelligence claims that Islamic terrorists are plotting mass hostage-taking in Britain.

German police have issued a warning that fanatics plan to take hostages in Britain, France and Germany in attempts to free al Qaeda suspects. Potential targets cited were churches, concerts and cinemas.

Germany's Federal Office of Criminal Investigation said suspects were trained as suicide bombers and were ruthless enough to kill hostages if their demands were not met.

The warning, in an internal security memorandum, was leaked to a German newspaper.

Last week nine Palestinians were arrested in Germany, and said to be members of a group called Divine Unity with links to Osama bin Laden's terror network. A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "While we do not comment on intelligence our concerns have remained high since 11 September. We have been preparing for a range of threats which may impact on London and elsewhere."