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Plane Terror Plot Thwarted Sky News
Updated: 08:37, Thursday August 10, 2006

Police say they have disrupted a major plot to blow up as many as 20 planes over UK and US cities with explosive devices smuggled aboard as hand luggage.

Police are have arrested 20 people in London - the culmination of a covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.

Big queues were building up at UK airports as passengers trying to board international flights were not being allowed to carry on normal hand luggage.

Queues at Heathrow

Security sources are said to be believe that liquid explosives would have been used and could therefore be missed during the x-ray screening of such luggage.

Sky News' Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said he had been told the threat was imminent and those arrested were mainly young, British-born Asian men.

He said the plan allegedly involved people boarding flights and detonating explosives on planes over UK and US cities.

The Home Secretary John Reid said the alleged plot was a "major threat" to bring down a number of planes.

Flights have been cancelled

The Home Office's level of security - indicating public risk - has been raised from 'severe' to 'critical'.

The swoop followed a pre-planned intelligence led operation by the Met's anti-terrorist branch and security service.

A police statement said: "This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex. We will provide further information as soon as possible."

Lengthy queues at airports have been reported and a Transport Department spokesman said delays were inevitable.

"Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time. These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year."