4:25pm Saturday 30th June 2007
By Gemma Wheatley and Diana Pilkington
Anti-terrorism police are on the hunt for the people who planted two car bombs in central London.
More police have been deployed across the streets of London in response to the current terrorist threat level.
Policing plans have been reviewed at iconic sites and transport hubs and there will be patrols by Armed Response Vehicles around mainline stations.
Security at Heathrow Airport has also been thoroughly reviewed, and enhanced levels of policing and security have been introduced.
This includes increased patrols by armed officers and the closure of access to the forecourts.
Police are still trawling CCTV footage to establish the circumstances leading up to the discovery of nail bomb devices in Haymarket on Friday.
Detectives are following many lines of inquiry.
Two Mercedes left in Haymarket and nearby Cockspur Street in the early hours of Friday morning were found containing fuel, gas cylinders and nails, but the devices did not detonate.
Police have said the two vehicles are linked.
It is understood the devices were intended to have been detonated remotely by mobile phone but they did not work.
Simultaneous, co-ordinated bombs are said to have been historically a distinguishing feature of al-Qaeda attacks.
Security and patrols have been stepped up at high-profile events this weekend, including the Wimbledon tennis championships and the Gay Pride parade.
Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said today: "There is a thorough investigation already in place that is taking its course, but I was to use this opportunity to thank Londoners for coping with the disruptions that were caused yesterday.
"What we have today is a very significant security operation.
"We have a number of officers policing the London pride event and we also have a substantial event at Wimbledon, with officers supplementing numbers.
"We have extra Special Constabulary officers, and other officers, to provide total reassurance across London.
"What is really amazing is that London wants to and has returned to normality and a lot of events that were supposed to take place are taking place, and that shows that Londoners, and communities, will not tolerate criminals disrupting London.
"Of course, I'm asking Londoners to be vigilant and to be alert and to respond to anything suspicious."
The first car - a green Mercedes - was found just before 2am on Friday morning, when an ambulance crew spotted what appeared to be vapour inside the car parked outside the Tiger Tiger club.
The area was cordoned off, and explosives officers found a potentially viable device inside.
The second device was discovered in a blue Mercedes at a Park Lane car pound after the smell of petrol was noticed.
The vehicle had been issued with a parking ticket at about 2.30am in Cockspur Street, and towed away.
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.
They are interested in the period throughout Thursday evening, leading up to the discovery of the first vehicle.
Anyone with information should contact the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.
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