Armed police raided the home of
two respected foster carers in their hunt for the bomb factory used by
the Parsons Green bomber today, just hours after arresting an
18-year-old man close to the port of Dover.
The rapidly moving developments came a day after commuters fled in
terror after a homemade bomb partially detonated on a District Line
train, injuring 29 people.
Kent police detained the
teenager close to the Port of Dover at 7.50am on suspicion of being a
terrorist, describing it as a “significant arrest”.
Police officers were later seen searching bins close to Dover Priory rail station a few minutes walk from the port.
The suspect is due to be moved to a south London police station tonight.
The suspect is due to be moved to a south London police station tonight.
Deputy
Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "We
have made a significant arrest in our investigation this morning.
Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation
continues and the threat level remains at critical.
"The public should remain vigilant. This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers."
The arrest place to close to the busiest ferry hub in Europe, which serves as a commercial gateway to the French coast, including Calais and Dunkirk - raising the prospect the suspect could have been attempting to leave the country.
"The public should remain vigilant. This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers."
The arrest place to close to the busiest ferry hub in Europe, which serves as a commercial gateway to the French coast, including Calais and Dunkirk - raising the prospect the suspect could have been attempting to leave the country.
Five
hours later armed police backed by the bomb squad arrived at an address
in Sunbury-on-Thames, south west London, and began evacuating residents
from surrounding homes.
The elderly owners of the Cavendish Road property, Penelope and Ronald Jones, are a dedicated foster couple who have taken in hundreds of young people since 1970, including refugees from several countries.
In 2009 Mr and Mrs Jones were appointed MBEs for services to children and families. The honour was presented to them by the Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Mrs Jones, 71, and her husband, 88, said at the time: “We open our hearts to all the children. Anybody that comes to us we will do whatever we can to help them with whatever they need.”
The elderly owners of the Cavendish Road property, Penelope and Ronald Jones, are a dedicated foster couple who have taken in hundreds of young people since 1970, including refugees from several countries.
In 2009 Mr and Mrs Jones were appointed MBEs for services to children and families. The honour was presented to them by the Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Mrs Jones, 71, and her husband, 88, said at the time: “We open our hearts to all the children. Anybody that comes to us we will do whatever we can to help them with whatever they need.”
Their
home is 11 miles from Parsons Green and on the overground rail line to
Wimbledon, which is on the District Line. The couple were unavailable
for comment.
A neighbour who gave her name as Daphne, who lives opposite the house that was raided on Cavendish Road, said: ''I am so worried about Ron and Penny, they are a lovely couple.”
A neighbour who gave her name as Daphne, who lives opposite the house that was raided on Cavendish Road, said: ''I am so worried about Ron and Penny, they are a lovely couple.”
No comments:
Post a Comment