Anti-terrorist exercise taking place in Surrey Street and the site of the former Aldwych underground station. Image: Met Police
A major anti-terrorist exercise taking place in central London over the next two days is to prepare the emergency services for a Mumbai or Charlie Hebdo style attack.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: ‘ Should the worst happen we are ready. And we will be.’
Operation Strong Tower has been planned for around six months.
Sir Bernard said ‘As people will be aware, the threat level for terrorism has been raised over the last year and it is vital that we train and we learn.’
He added:
Today’s exercise will test our people in how to respond to a terrorist threat and we will learn from the mistakes that we are bound to make today. It’s best we make them today in an environment were we don’t have terrorists, than make those mistakes when we do.
The Commissioner continued:
Over the last year the rate of arrests has increased. We are arresting about one person a day for terrorist offences. It is clear during that time that we’ve disrupted some very serious plots and some of those cases are going to the courts. The reason we have exercises like today is because, obviously, we are concerned there are people planning terrorist events.
We intend first of all to stop them from getting to attack. But should we not stop the terrorists in their planning, it’s essential we disrupt them in any of the attacks that may take place.
Categories: Crime & the Law, Intelligence and security, News, Police News
London Multimedia News 