Britain must be vigilant against terror Blunkett warns

Remembrance Day gatherings across Britain are considered by the authorities to be a potential target for terrorists linked to…

Remembrance Day gatherings across Britain are considered by the authorities to be a potential target for terrorists linked to al Qaeda, according to the British Home Secretary, Mr David Blunkett.

Vigilance is particularly necessary at public events like those taking place across the country to rememeber the war dead, he warned.

Britain is in the "front line" of the battle against international terror because of its involvement in efforts to root out those responsible for the September 11th attacks in the USA, he claimed.

He was speaking ahead of a speech tomorrow by the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, in which he is expected to urge the public to be on their guard against the threat of al Qaeda attacks in Britain.

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Although he said there was no specific intelligence of an expected attack, Mr Blunkett said the level of danger was similar to that at this time last year, in the wake of the US atrocities.

Mr Blunkett told BBC1's Breakfast with Frost: "We will do everything we can to protect Britain. We need the vigilance of everyone around us, particularly at major airports and particular gathering points where people know there is a risk, as there is on Armistice Day.

"We will do everything we can, but we want everyone to be vigilant as well."

PA