'Terrorists could strike again'

2005-07-09 21:58

London - Another terrorist attack in Britain is still possible following the bombings on London's transport system, a senior police officer said on Saturday.

"It is perfectly possible, given the attacks of Thursday, that terrorists could strike again," Andy Trotter, the deputy chief constable of British Transport Police, told reporters.

"We know we've had successes in defeating criminals, we know we've had success in preventing terrorist attacks on London, but this time they got through," he said.

At least 50 people were killed in the morning rush hour bombings, three on the underground rail network and one on a double-decker bus, and some 700 others were injured.

Trotter vowed to work to keep the British capital's transport network safe but he said airport-style security would never be introduced.

"If life in London is to continue, if people are free to move around, then people are going to go on and off public transport without going through search regimes," he said.

"If we tried to introduce such a thing London would come to a grinding halt. That would be a win for the terrorists without a doubt," he added.

- AFP