Met probe terror links round world

Met detectives are investigating terror networks with links to countries as far afield as Japan, it was revealed today.

Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir John Stevens said officers from the anti-terrorist branch were working in Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Japan.

He told a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority that the officers were investigating terrorist networks with links to Britain.

He refused to give details of their activities but said officers were constantly abroad investigating international terrorism.

"There is a great deal of work going on," he added.

Sir John said that a small team was also in Madrid to liaise with the Spanish authorities investigating the train bombings which left 190 dead and more than 1,500 injured.

Anti-terrorist branch detectives were also continuing an investigation into the suspected al Qaeda attack on the British consulate in Istanbul last year.

Sir John confirmed that packages containing white powder which had been sent recently to four embassies in London - those of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Algeria - had all been hoax attacks. The commissioner also confirmed that police and the security services were now taking part in a full review of security at the Palace of Westminster, which had been launched days before two Greenpeace protesters scaled Big Ben at the weekend.

He said a review of security passes in the Palace of Westminster had been carried out 12 months ago amid concerns about security breaches.

Earlier this week, the Standard revealed that security officials want to erect a barrier in the Thames surrounding the Houses of Parliament to protect them from potential attacks by suicide bombers using boats packed with explosives.

Intelligence reports, said to be " non- specific", have warned of a series of attacks aimed at the heart of the Texas oil and petrol industry, the power base of President Bush.

The alert followed meeting between FBI officials in Houston and oil refinery chiefs. FBI spokesman Bob Dogium said the warning was "prudent".

Oil installations in the state are regarded as a prime target for al Qaeda cells known to be hiding in the US and security has already been stepped up since the September 11 attacks.