Anti-terror police put on a show of force

Jul 3 2007 by David Higgerson and Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

UNPRECEDENTED levels of security will continue for the foreseeable future across Merseyside in the wake of three failed car bombs in Glasgow and London, senior police said last night.

Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe sent out messages of reassurance and said operations would ensure the highest security levels seen since London’s July 7 bombings in 2005.

Even parking attendants and traffic wardens have been told to play their part by beefing up enforcement of parking regulations across the region, making it easier to spot suspicious vehicles.

Senior officers revealed that:

• Armed officers are now patrolling Lime Street station at peak times;

• Mounted patrols, sniffer dogs and armed police are now working round the clock at JLA;

• Every police officer in Merseyside has been given the power to stop and search anyone they want to;

• Roadblocks will be set up at random locations around Merseyside to stop and check cars;

• The heightened police presence will continue at key events including Summer Pops festival which starts today, the St Helens Show and Haydock Races.

Mr Hogan-Howe said : “We have put the whole force on 12- hour shifts – that’s 4,500 officers.”

He urged the public to be vigilant and said a top priority was ensuring all minority groups felt involved and reassured.

He said: “We have talked to communities over the weekend, and we have taken advice over where they would like to see other patrols.

“You should see it right across Merseyside, at places where people congregate at night.”

It comes as police in London were given extra time to quiz a 26-year-old man arrested in Liverpool city centre.

Unconfirmed reports claimed the man arrested near the Adelphi hotel at around 11.30pm on Saturday, was an Indian doctor working in the Halton area.