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coped from: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...285596/1/.html

Police raid properties in Liverpool over terror alert
Posted: 01 July 2007 2129 hrs


LONDON: British police launched raids on Sunday on two properties in Liverpool after making a fifth arrest linked to the national terrorism alert, a police statement said.

It also confirmed that a suspect vehicle had been found at the northwest English city's John Lennon airport on Saturday evening, triggering its temporary closure.

"Merseyside Police can confirm an arrest has been made in Liverpool in connection with incidents nationwide," police said in a brief statement.

"The man was arrested overnight on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service counter-terrorism command. Following on from that, Merseyside Police is executing search warrants at two addresses in the Liverpool area."

It said local residents might notice an increased police presence, adding: "This is to reassure the public and help keep the people of Merseyside safe."

"We are sure that the public will understand that, with a suspicious car being found at Liverpool John Lennon airport and the arrest, we had no option but to close the airport last night."

Police have stepped up patrols across Britain following the events of the past 48 hours, the statement added.

On Saturday, a blazing jeep careered into the main terminal building of Glasgow airport, after which the car's two occupants were arrested.

The dramatic fiery attack followed two failed car bombings in central London on Friday.

Two people have also been arrested in the Cheshire region of northwest England in connection with the failed London attacks, according to anti-terrorism police.

Britain is now on a "critical" maximum security alert, with just one week to go until the second anniversary of the July 7, 2005, suicide bombings on London transport in which 52 people and four suicide bombers were killed.


- AFP/so