MoD Information

Bin Laden Tapping Into Terror Groups

Sun, January 19, 2003

Source: Ananova News

Terrorists linked to al-Qaida remain at large in Britain and are using established terror groups, warns the UK's most senior policeman

Terrorists linked to al-Qaida remain at large in Britain and are using established terror groups, warns the UK's most senior policeman. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens says several of people are being watched and "a number" are still to be arrested.

He believes Osama bin Laden and his network are acting "very cleverly" in tapping in to existing organisations.

Sir John to Sky News: "There's still a large number of people we're watching, there's still a number of people who still have yet to be arrested, but as I said we are working very, very closely with the security services."

Asked if the people were linked to al Qaida, he added: "I think there's no doubt they are and we know that there's certain links with al Qaida and, of course, the link in with North Africa is proven with other groups as well."

Sir John stresses the police and security services have a better idea of what the network of terrorists are than ever before.

He admitted there was a danger "in terms of the people out there" but said recent activities involving the police suggest they were "on top of" the situation.

Asked if bin Laden and others were out there directing operations to disrupt the UK, Sir John said: "I think there's some of that in terms of what is happening worldwide.

"But I think very cleverly what bin Laden and others have done is actually lock into established terrorist groups to see if they can actually use their potential to cause the problems that they are."