Funeral day 'terror plot' foiled

Police believe they may have foiled a potential terror attack in the City after a car sped through an anti-terrorist checkpoint on the day of the Queen Mother's funeral.

During a routine police check at London Bridge on the 10th anniversary of the IRA bombing of the Baltic Exchange which killed three and injured more than 90, a Ford Granada with Northern Ireland plates refused to stop only hours after the funeral.

The car was found abandoned in nearby Mincing Lane, just north of the Thames, but the male driver and his woman companion had run off. A controlled explosion was carriedout to burst open the car boot, and Bomb Squad officers found two empty fertiliser bags together with documents relating to premises in the City. Police are now unsure whether the incident is connected with terrorism or criminal activity. A senior officer said: "We have not ruled out a terrorist connection."

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Eastwood of City of London Police said: "It is essential the occupants of the vehicle come forward. Also, I would ask anyone who has seen or owned the vehicle to get in touch with us. We are interested in speaking to anyone who saw the vehicle on Tuesday night or saw the occupants leaving the car at Mincing Lane or in the vicinity."

He urged those people to call the Anti-Terrorist Squad hotline on 0800 789321. The blue-grey car, registration number IDZ 4669, had a rear spoiler and slight damage to the front driver's side bumper.

Senior anti-terrorism detectives have been warning of the possibility of a mainland attack by dissident Irish republican groups for some time. Last month they revealed they believed an attack was "overdue".