Terrorism: UK Must Plan For Major Attack

The emergency services must be better prepared to tackle a lone gunman or Mumbai-style attack on the streets of Britain, the Government has warned. Fast-moving attacks, such as those seen in Norway and Toulouse, are among the major scenarios the UK must be prepared for, Security Minister James Brokenshire said in a speech.

Home Secretary Theresa May has asked the police and other emergency services "to make further improvements to the joint response", he revealed.

Mr Brokenshire said: "A collective failure to act might well manifest in attacks closer to home. Those who want to do us harm are waiting for the moment when we take our eye off the ball.

"The threat remains very real. But that does not mean we cannot stay ahead of it."

Changing tactics have allowed terrorists to "achieve a devastating effect using relatively unsophisticated means", he added.

"The experiences in Toulouse and in Norway demonstrate the impact that a lone individual can have if sufficiently motivated, while the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai were characterised by an ongoing firearms and explosives attack, and by hostage-taking. (continue reading...)