UK terror attack feared amid warnings gangs are smuggling in submachine guns

[lostinblue 1,989]

UK terror attack feared amid warnings gangs are smuggling in submachine guns Organised crime syndicates are smuggling Skorpion submachine guns into Britain which could then fall into the hands of jihadists

Fears of a Tunisian style attack on the streets of Britain have been raised after it emerged that criminal gangs have been smuggling powerful submachine guns into the country.

Security chiefs are concerned that the weapons, capable of firing 1,000 rounds a minute, could fall into the hands of would be jihadists.

A report from the National Crime Agency (NCA) published last week into serious and organised crime in the UK, found evidence of an “increased threat” of Czech made Skorpion submachine guns being imported into the UK by street gangs in London and the south east.

The fear is that these weapons could then find their way into the hands of extremists, intent on carrying out a terror attack.

The report also warned that illegally held weapons and ammunition, often hoarded by collectors, could find their way into the hands of criminal organisations, which might then pass them on to jihadists.

Counter terror chiefs have long been concerned over the crossover between ruthless criminal gangs and extremists.

Gun attacks similar to that carried out in Tunisia and the 2008 Mumbai atrocity, are notoriously difficult for the authorities to derail because of the lack of planning needed to execute.

• How the Mumbai terror attacks changed British anti-terror tactics

• al-Qaeda plotting attack on Britain

Scotland Yard is stepping up visible and covert policing at significant public events such as the Wimbledon tennis championships and planned services to mark the tenth anniversary of the July 7 attacks in London.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for counter terrorism, said the police response to the atrocity in Tunisia was likely to be one of the largest counter terrorism deployments seen since the bomb attacks on the capital in 2005.

He said: “The operation currently involves over 600 officers and staff and is being coordinated from the National Counter Terrorism Policing HQ at New Scotland Yard.

“Because of the scale of the attack, the numbers of fatalities and the international nature of it, it is likely that several hundred counter-terrorism and other police officers and staff will be working on this case for some time.

“Since Friday evening, over 380 counter terrorism and local officers have been at British airports to meet and support travellers returning from Tunisia to help identify potential witnesses.

“On Saturday, officers met 27 flights and there will be similar levels of activity today, including taking detailed statements from many witnesses to support the UK colonial process.

“Officers will remain at the airports to meet more returning citizens as and when they come home.

“We have already deployed a team of 16 officers to Tunisia, including senior detectives and specialist forensic officers from New Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command, as well as family liaison officers.

He added: “In Britain, large numbers of officers are supporting our international response to the attack. This includes 60 family liaison officers who are with relatives in the UK of those killed and injured. These highly experienced FLOs will be supporting victims and their families as part of the police investigation.”

Scotland Yard is also appealing for anyone who was in Sousse, Tunisia at the time of the attacks to come forward as they may have information that could help with the investigation.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11705338/UK-terror-attack-feared-amid-warnings-gangs-are-smuggling-in-submachine-guns.html

Street gangs importing guns ... so much for common sense gun control . Outlaw guns for the common man seems to work so well across the pond . .. They need gang control rather than gun control.

[lostinblue 1,989]

[ready4ONE 5,400]

The great 4th of July terrorist attack didn't pan out so it must be time to fear an attack on British soil.

[Sousuke 1,214]

The great 4th of July terrorist attack didn't pan out so it must be time to fear an attack on British soil.

Tuesday is the 10th anniversary of the London terror attacks FYI.