Doug Ross @ Journal

UK threat level increased to critical

Pplease note the following message from the Home Secretary:

Overnight the police, with the full knowledge of Ministers, have carried out a major counter-terrorism operation to disrupt what we believe to be a major threat to the UK and international partners. The police, acting with the Security Service MI5, are investigating an alleged plot to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life. The police believe the alleged plot was a very significant one indeed. At 2am this morning the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the UK threat state to its highest level – "Critical" This is now being publicly announced, as I promised to Parliament last month. This is a precautionary measure. We are doing everything possible to disrupt any further terrorist activity. This will mean major disruption at all UK airports from today. But as far as is possible we want people to go about their business as normal. The police will provide an update on the operation later this morning and Ministers will keep the public regularly informed.'

Advice to travellers - increased security measures

Editor's note: emphasis mine.

10 August 2006 Due to the increased security measures currently in place at UK airports, the following advice to anyone travelling today has been issued by the Department of Transport. With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.  Flying today contact the airline you're flying with to check your flight is still going ahead arrive as early as possible for your flight to ensure that, other than the few permitted items listed below, all your belongings are placed in your hold baggage and checked in expect long delays Hand luggage All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.  The only items that may be taken through airport security search points and in to the cabin, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, are the following:  pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards, etc - handbags are not allowed. travel documents essential for the journey (eg, passports and travel tickets) prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic spectacles and sunglasses, without cases contact lens holders, without bottles of solution for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags) female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg, tampons, pads, towels and wipes) tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs keys (but not with electrical key fobs) Nothing may be carried in pockets. Searches and x-ray screening All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened. Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point. Flying to the USA The US has raised its threat level to 'red' for flights coming in from the UK. This means passengers are likely to encounter additional security measures once they land at an American airport. In addition to the  security measures listed above, all passengers boarding flights to the US and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate.  Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.  There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.   Delays are inevitable Regrettably, these additional security measures will mean significant delays at airports are inevitable.  The measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure.  We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the government, will need to be in place for a limited period only.  In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the traveling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.  If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier. Heathrow closed to incoming flights Due to increased security measures that have caused considerable congestion at Heathrow Airport - London's main airport and the busiest airport in Europe - it has been closed to all incoming flights that are not already in the air. Advice from Heathrow's operator BAA is that passengers should not come to Heathrow Airport today unless there journey is absolutely necessary. If passengers must come to the airport today, BAA advise: travel to the airport by public transport arrive as early as possible for your flight expect very long delays Heathrow - BA short-haul flights cancelled All incoming and outgoing British Airways short-haul flights, scheduled for departure until 2.00pm have now been cancelled.  Stansted - Ryanair flights cancelled Ryanair flights leaving London Stansted airport between 9.35am and 12.05pm have been cancelled. Disruption to flights into Britain Some flights into Britain have also been cancelled: Brussels to London airports Lufthansa to all UK airports Olympic airlines to UK airports Air France, Paris to London