Police uncover London Underground bomb plot: teenage suspect arrested after ‘viable improvised explosive device’ found on tube train

From the Telegraph

A terror plot to target the London Underground has been foiled after police found what they suspect to be a viable bomb on a tube train, planted by a terrorist planning further attacks. A 19-year-old man was tasered and arrested by armed counter-terrorism officers on Friday, a day after the suspect device was found on board a train near the O2 centre.

On Friday it emerged that security officials had contacted the Ministry of Defence after the find, to warn serving military personnel, and the threat level for transport in London had been raised to severe to reflect that an attack was highly likely. In a note the MoD had told personnel: “It remains possible that the perpetrator may attempt to place further devices.”

British Transport Police confirmed that they had increased security arrangements because of the discovery and would be stepping up patrols.

The teenage terror suspect was later arrested outside London Metropolitan University on Holloway Road, around 10 miles from where the suspected bomb was discovered in north Greenwich.

Witnesses described the young man being dragged to the ground by plain-clothed masked officers carrying machine guns.The suspect, described as Asian in appearance with black hair, was tasered in the back as he walked along. (The London Evening Standard has an eye-witness who says he was white with a very long beard.)

Scotland Yard said the arrest came “following the discovery of a suspicious item on a tube in north Greenwich”.

A statement said: “The 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of terrorism acts, under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000. He has been taken to a London police station where he remains in custody.”

Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the suspected device.