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See other news storiesHome Secretary's Statement to Parliament
2 July 2007
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told Parliament today the investigation into the weekend's attacks is the government's top priority.
Saying that the government's top priority is the investigation into last weekend's failed terror attacks, the Home Secretary gave Parliament a full briefing today on the weekend's events.
The investigations into the incidents in London and Glasgow 'have involved police forces across the United Kingdom,' she said.
The Home Secretary's statement
She went on to say:
'To date, six individuals have been arrested in connection with the events, one at Glasgow Airport, a further two in Glasgow, two in Staffordshire (north of Junction 16 on M6), and one in Liverpool. One further individual of interest remains in a critical condition in hospital. Searches have already been carried out in at least 19 locations, but as I have already said this is a fast-moving investigation.
'I am sure the House will join me in thanking all those involved in the response to these incidents: the ambulance crew whose vigilance potentially averted an attack, the police, particularly the explosives officers who manually disabled the device in the Haymarket and the Security Service. In addition, the response from the public and business community – including staff at airports - has been excellent in support of the police and other emergency services.
'I would also like to thank colleagues in Scotland and internationally in the United States and in Europe for their messages of support.
'Since Friday morning, the government have held four meetings of COBR, chaired by the Prime Minister and myself and attended by ministerial colleagues from key government departments and the police and intelligence agencies. Our priority has been to coordinate the necessary responses to protect the public.
Response strong across the country
'Turning now to that response underway across the country.
'The police have substantially stepped up protective security measures including:
high visibility patrols, including armed response vehicles
increased use of stop and search powers for vehicles and pedestrians
increased physical protection around airport terminal buildings, including tighter controls on access roads
installation of new barriers, in conjunction with airport operators and the Department for Transport
'As ever, these measures are designed to maximise public safety while minimising disruption to normal life.
'Terrorism is a serious threat to us all. We must ensure our resources, capability and legislation support our common endeavour to defend the shared values of this country from terror.
'To that end: we have doubled expenditure on counter-terrorism since September 2001. Work as part of the current comprehensive spending review will further assess the expenditure necessary.
'We have started a full consultative review of counter-terrorism legislation with a view to a bill later this year. This process will continue. Across government, ministers will work together to oversee the delivery of this complex package of measures.
'Terrorists are criminals'
'Let us be clear – terrorists are criminals, whose victims come from all walks of life, communities and religious backgrounds. Terrorists attack the values that are shared by all law-abiding citizens. As a government, as communities, as individuals we need to ensure that the message of the terrorists is rejected.
'I very much welcome the strong messages of condemnation we have heard throughout the weekend from community leaders across the country. It is through our unity that the terrorists will eventually be defeated.
'I would also like to express my admiration and thanks to members of the public in this country, in all our communities, for their patience and measured response to these events.
'My aim as Home Secretary is to allow the British public to live their lives as they would wish, within the law. The fact that people have been prepared to go about their lives as normally as possible this weekend sends the strongest message to those who wish to destroy our way of life and our freedoms that we will not be intimidated by terror.'
