IEDs found at London transport hubs

• Counter-terror police have said three suspicious packages found near transport hubs across London earlier today (05-03-2019) were “small improvised explosive devices”
• Officers were called to Waterloo Station, London City Airport and an office building at Heathrow Airport in separate incidents within hours of each other earlier today
• Three A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags were found, the Met Police has now confirmed
• Specialist officers have assessed the packages, which were found to be “small improvised explosive devices”
• Officers say they are treating the incidents as “a linked series” but are “keeping an open mind regarding motives”

Click here for the Counter Terrorism Policing’s Incident message

We set out below some guidance for identifying IEDs and Vehicle Borne IEDs:

What to look for:

• Unexpected or unusual origin or no return address or address not verified
• Poorly or inaccurately addressed – printed unevenly or in an unusual way
• The writing is in an unfamiliar foreign style
• Unusual postmarks or postage paid marks
• A Jiffy bag, or similar padded envelope has been used
• Unusually heavy for its size. Most letters weigh 30g, whereas most effective letter bombs weigh 50 – 100g and are 5mm or more thick
• It has more than the appropriate value of stamps for its size and weight.
• It is marked “personal or Confidential”
• What to look for:
• Unexpected or unusual origin or no return address or address not verified
• Poorly or inaccurately addressed – printed unevenly or in an unusual way
• The writing is in an unfamiliar foreign style
• Unusual postmarks or postage paid marks
• A Jiffy bag, or similar padded envelope has been used
• Unusually heavy for its size. Most letters weigh 30g, whereas most effective letter bombs weigh 50 – 100g and are 5mm or more thick
• It has more than the appropriate value of stamps for its size and weight.
• It is marked “personal or Confidential”

The current threat level from international terrorism for the UK is now assessed as: SEVERE

The threat level for Irish related terrorism is set separately for Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

The threat from Northern Ireland-related terrorism in Great Britain is set at MODERATE

In Northern Ireland it is: SEVERE

NOTE:

• CRITICAL means that a terrorist attack is imminent
• SEVERE means that a terrorist attack is highly likely
• SUBSTANTIAL that an attack is a strong possibility
• MODERATE that an attack is possible but unlikely

Everyone should always remain alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to the Police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline on: 0800 789 321

REPORT IT!

You may end up saving a life or lives… and there is nothing more rewarding than that…

The following telephone numbers may be useful:

Corps Security Central Support: 0141 847 2044
Specific advice on Counter-Terrorism matters: 020 7566 0516

Editor: Mike Bluestone MA CSyP FSyI