Security services on alert for terror attack launched from Thames

SECURITY forces in Britain are urgently devising plans to thwart a possible Mumbai-style terrorist attack launched from the Thames, experts said today.

A terrorism consultant said authorities were working "exceptionally hard" over fears that London is vulnerable to a similar outrage.

It comes after Boris Johnson revealed that security on the river was being stepped up, with the Royal Navy and Special Boat Service commandos guarding the capital against the threat of a water-borne assault.

Fears of a terror attack on London were heightened after last month's Indian atrocity, in which at least 10 Islamist gunmen are believed to have got ashore in speedboats launched from a hijacked trawler.

Key sites close to the Thames could be targeted - including the Houses of Parliament, City banks, hotels and rail stations.

The Mayor, who is regularly briefed on the terror threat to London, said: "There is a great deal of work going on. There certainly are extensive preparations to stop a Mumbai-style operation on the Thames.

"There is substantial organisation to guard against the possibility of some sort of riparian assault. Obviously this is something we have to think about, particularly for the Olympics." A 40-mile stretch of the Thames from Dartford Creek to Hampton Court is being patrolled by marine support units of the Metropolitan Police, and the SBS is said to be on short notice to react to any attack.

Counter-terrorist teams have also conducted test operations on waterways around the Olympic site to investigate the threat of a rapid amphibian assault as security forces prepare for the Games.

Terrorism expert Will Geddes, whose London-based firm IPC advised on security for the Athens and Sydney Olympics, told the Standard: "Water-borne threats are something that would be very much addressed in any security plans. The Met police and the Government will be working exceptionally hard to ensure they are testing for every type of threat.

"The Mumbai scenario is definitely included in this type of testing and counter measures will be put in place."

Terrorism analysts across government have reportedly been ordered to review Britain's ability to withstand or prevent an organised attack on the scale of that in Mumbai. The review includes a close look at whether the Thames is sufficiently patrolled and whether there is adequate surveillance of the sea approaches around Britain.