Heathrow was last night being patrolled by 1,500 anti-terrorist police and troops after intelligence warnings identified it as a likely target for an imminent attack by al-Qaida-linked militants armed with anti-aircraft missiles. The move was sanctioned late on Monday after high level meetings at Scotland Yard headed by Assistant Commissioner David Veness, who requested immediate army back-up and support from Heathrow’s neighbouring forces, Surrey and Thames Valley. The prime minister was told of the threat and rubber stamped the deployment of 450 soldiers from the Ist Battalion the Grenadier Guards and the Household Cavalry. Diverted from training exercises, the troops and several Scimitar armoured vehicles swept on to the site before dawn yesterday, helping police patrol Heathrow’s sprawling perimeter fence and nearby open spaces, including Windsor Great Park, from where missiles might be launched. Full Story
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