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Pope visit: Five men held over papal terror alert
Five men have been arrested in London by the Metropolitan Police in relation to a potential threat to Pope Benedict XVI's visit.
The arrests were made at 0545 BST in London after counter-terrorism officers received intelligence of a potential threat.
The five men, all street cleaners in Westminster, were taken to a central London police station.
Officers are searching a number of premises. None of the men are British.
The men all worked for Veolia Environment Services, a major contract cleaning company that works for Westminster Council.
Armed officers arrested the men at the company's Chiltern Street depot, Paddington, as they were preparing to go on shift.
In a statement from Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Police said that the five men had been arrested in a Terrorism Act 2000 operation, launched by officers from the force's Counter-Terrorism Command.
The five were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
They are 26, 27, 36, 40 and 50 years old. Residential premises in north and east London are also being searched. Officers have not found any hazardous items.
It is not clear whether the investigations relate to a plot against the Pope himself, an element of the visit or events or other matters that may be connected to the visit. Most of the men are understood to be Algerian.
In the statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "Today's arrests were made after police received information following initial inquiries by detectives. A decision was made to arrest the five men.
"Following today's arrests policing arrangements for the papal visit were reviewed and we are satisfied our current policing plan remains appropriate. The itinerary has not changed. There is no change to the UK threat level."
The current official threat level in the UK is "severe", which means that security chiefs believe a terror attack is "highly likely".
The BBC understands that the information acted on by the police was received by Scotland Yard and did not involve intelligence gathered by MI5, the domestic security service.
Policing bill
The UK's top police officers from England and Scotland spent months planning the security arrangements for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the UK.
Those plans included threat assessments, standard arrangements covering the safe transport of significant public figures and the potential need to control crowds during the visit's major events.
In all, the policing bill for the visit is expected to top £1m.
Reacting to the development, Father Frederico Lombardi, the Pope's press spokesman, said the Vatican was "totally confident" in Scotland Yard and the ability of its officers.
The papal team had no direct information about the police operation, he said, adding that the Pope remained calm and had been welcomed warmly everywhere he had gone.
"The police have already said that the information demonstrated that there is no need to change the programme," he said.
The BBC's Emily Buchanan, who was with the Pope at his visit to an assembly of children at a Catholic college in west London, described the security around the Pope as "extremely high... with no lapses".
BBC news
The murderer of tens of millions Africans and holy protector of childrapists almost killed in England. That would have have been something ...
Five men have been arrested in London by the Metropolitan Police in relation to a potential threat to Pope Benedict XVI's visit.
The arrests were made at 0545 BST in London after counter-terrorism officers received intelligence of a potential threat.
The five men, all street cleaners in Westminster, were taken to a central London police station.
Officers are searching a number of premises. None of the men are British.
The men all worked for Veolia Environment Services, a major contract cleaning company that works for Westminster Council.
Armed officers arrested the men at the company's Chiltern Street depot, Paddington, as they were preparing to go on shift.
In a statement from Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Police said that the five men had been arrested in a Terrorism Act 2000 operation, launched by officers from the force's Counter-Terrorism Command.
The five were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
They are 26, 27, 36, 40 and 50 years old. Residential premises in north and east London are also being searched. Officers have not found any hazardous items.
It is not clear whether the investigations relate to a plot against the Pope himself, an element of the visit or events or other matters that may be connected to the visit. Most of the men are understood to be Algerian.
In the statement, the Metropolitan Police said: "Today's arrests were made after police received information following initial inquiries by detectives. A decision was made to arrest the five men.
"Following today's arrests policing arrangements for the papal visit were reviewed and we are satisfied our current policing plan remains appropriate. The itinerary has not changed. There is no change to the UK threat level."
The current official threat level in the UK is "severe", which means that security chiefs believe a terror attack is "highly likely".
The BBC understands that the information acted on by the police was received by Scotland Yard and did not involve intelligence gathered by MI5, the domestic security service.
Policing bill
The UK's top police officers from England and Scotland spent months planning the security arrangements for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the UK.
Those plans included threat assessments, standard arrangements covering the safe transport of significant public figures and the potential need to control crowds during the visit's major events.
In all, the policing bill for the visit is expected to top £1m.
Reacting to the development, Father Frederico Lombardi, the Pope's press spokesman, said the Vatican was "totally confident" in Scotland Yard and the ability of its officers.
The papal team had no direct information about the police operation, he said, adding that the Pope remained calm and had been welcomed warmly everywhere he had gone.
"The police have already said that the information demonstrated that there is no need to change the programme," he said.
The BBC's Emily Buchanan, who was with the Pope at his visit to an assembly of children at a Catholic college in west London, described the security around the Pope as "extremely high... with no lapses".
BBC news
The murderer of tens of millions Africans and holy protector of childrapists almost killed in England. That would have have been something ...
why murderer of tens of millions of aficans?
pretty sad that he's defending those rapers :/
pretty sad that he's defending those rapers :/
aye, and I don't care whether he is the "earthly embodiment of Christ", he should still pay for his own holidays
£12m it's costing us, and he's halfway through already :/
£12m it's costing us, and he's halfway through already :/
If the pope would start about condoms millions and millions of people will be saved, and not only in Africa but worldwide. But no, condoms are evil, it's better they and the children they get die of AIDS ... :S
oooh i think that i agree with you.. condoms are not bad... some things in catholic church need to be changed...
i dont know any catholic who obbeys the papa about condoms. At least in Spain
Better than use condoms its to make a little of maths for know which days your partner is infertile
:P
:P
It is. El "metodo ojino" has made many childs, it was used during Franco times here, according to old people, and you know there was a baby boom generation :P
(edited)
(edited)
agreed. ireland is similar. prefer the pill though myself. no stress for me
Facebook and Bebo child sex abuse postman jailed Michael Williams admitted 27 charges at Truro Crown Court in May A postman from Cornwall who used social-networking websites to abuse hundreds of children has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years.
Michael Williams admitted inciting sexual activity, grooming and distributing indecent images.
The 29-year-old, from Penryn, approached children on Facebook and Bebo, Truro Crown Court heard.
He groomed them, asked some to perform sex acts over a webcam and arranged to meet others before abusing them.
The court heard the grooming and abuse took place between 2004 and 2009. He also pleaded guilty to voyeurism and possessing indecent images.
In addition to the prison sentence - half of which must be served and the rest suspended - Williams was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.
Devon and Cornwall Police have identified about 500 victims but believe hundreds were too scared to come forward and the actual total could be nearer 1,000.
Williams, who admitted 27 charges, was described by police as a "predatory, manipulative and prolific offender".
'Sheer hell'
After creating at least eight fake online profiles, Williams targeted youngsters he met on his post round in his hometown, on school runs as a taxi driver, and in his role as secretary of Falmouth Town Football Club.
He sometimes posed as a teenager online and also dyed his hair different colours to disguise his identity.
He convinced some victims to meet him in parks, on beaches and at his home.
Sentencing, Judge Paul Darlow said the "deceit and corruption" shown by Williams had damaged hundreds of children by lulling them into a false sense of security.
Det Insp Simon Snell, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said Williams' victims had been brave to come forward
He said: "Every method employed by you was designed to exploit young children by the means you knew would be popular with them - Facebook, Bebo, MSN Messenger."
He added: "The indictment names eight children.
"Unnamed are the anonymous victims of the child pornography you kept. Unnamed are the anonymous children named in the Taken Into Account."
Taken into Account offences can be admitted by an accused to avoid legal action at a later date.
Det Insp Simon Snell of Devon and Cornwall Police said Williams' victims had been "through sheer hell".
He said: "Depravity and corrosive are probably the words I would use against Michael Williams.
"He preyed on young people. He is dangerous and will remain so until he has had the correct treatment."
He added that the accused's crimes had "completely devastated" people in Penryn.
"To have this kind of activity taking place in their community has been extremely distressing," he said.
Facebook said it was "deeply concerned" by the case.
A spokesman said: "The case serves as a painful reminder that everyone must use extreme caution when talking to or meeting people they only know via the internet."
The company has recently launched a £5m campaign aimed at improving safety for users.
HOLY CRAP THEY'VE CAUGHT PEDOBEAR!!
Just joking, good that another one is behind bars
sick sick people
Michael Williams admitted inciting sexual activity, grooming and distributing indecent images.
The 29-year-old, from Penryn, approached children on Facebook and Bebo, Truro Crown Court heard.
He groomed them, asked some to perform sex acts over a webcam and arranged to meet others before abusing them.
The court heard the grooming and abuse took place between 2004 and 2009. He also pleaded guilty to voyeurism and possessing indecent images.
In addition to the prison sentence - half of which must be served and the rest suspended - Williams was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.
Devon and Cornwall Police have identified about 500 victims but believe hundreds were too scared to come forward and the actual total could be nearer 1,000.
Williams, who admitted 27 charges, was described by police as a "predatory, manipulative and prolific offender".
'Sheer hell'
After creating at least eight fake online profiles, Williams targeted youngsters he met on his post round in his hometown, on school runs as a taxi driver, and in his role as secretary of Falmouth Town Football Club.
He sometimes posed as a teenager online and also dyed his hair different colours to disguise his identity.
He convinced some victims to meet him in parks, on beaches and at his home.
Sentencing, Judge Paul Darlow said the "deceit and corruption" shown by Williams had damaged hundreds of children by lulling them into a false sense of security.
Det Insp Simon Snell, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said Williams' victims had been brave to come forward
He said: "Every method employed by you was designed to exploit young children by the means you knew would be popular with them - Facebook, Bebo, MSN Messenger."
He added: "The indictment names eight children.
"Unnamed are the anonymous victims of the child pornography you kept. Unnamed are the anonymous children named in the Taken Into Account."
Taken into Account offences can be admitted by an accused to avoid legal action at a later date.
Det Insp Simon Snell of Devon and Cornwall Police said Williams' victims had been "through sheer hell".
He said: "Depravity and corrosive are probably the words I would use against Michael Williams.
"He preyed on young people. He is dangerous and will remain so until he has had the correct treatment."
He added that the accused's crimes had "completely devastated" people in Penryn.
"To have this kind of activity taking place in their community has been extremely distressing," he said.
Facebook said it was "deeply concerned" by the case.
A spokesman said: "The case serves as a painful reminder that everyone must use extreme caution when talking to or meeting people they only know via the internet."
The company has recently launched a £5m campaign aimed at improving safety for users.
HOLY CRAP THEY'VE CAUGHT PEDOBEAR!!
Just joking, good that another one is behind bars
sick sick people
+1...
what a sick person... some treatment needed... /:
what a sick person... some treatment needed... /:
The pope terrorist attack story has turned out to be false.. those guys have been released.. haha stupid Secret Service.