Troops deployed at Heathrow against terror threat

More than 400 soldiers were drafted in to provide extra security at Heathrow Airport and a number of other unspecified sites across London today to combat a new terrorist threat.

Troops began to take up their new positions at one of the world's busiest international airports at 6am and will be deployed throughout the rest of the day as part of a "contingency plan" authorised by the Government and the Metropolitan Police.

The "precautionary measure" is linked to a new fear that al-Qa'ida could use the end of the Muslim festival of Eid, which runs from tomorrow until Saturday, as a trigger for attacks.

In a statement, Scotland Yard said its decision to call in the troops – from the First Battalion Grenadier Guards and the Household Cavalry Regiment – was a "necessary" and "prudent" step to take in the light of international activity.

It read: "From time to time, it is necessary to raise levels of security activity.

"We think it is prudent to do so now. The current strengthening of security is precautionary and is related to action being taken in other countries and the possibility that the end of the religious festival of Eid may erroneously be used by al-Qa'ida and associated networks to mount attacks.

"The use of troops is part of a long-standing contingency, authorised by the Government, for example during the Provisional IRA campaign.

"To avoid prejudicing ongoing operations, we do not intend to give any further details of security arrangements, other than to say that this action is in line with the policy of taking whatever action we believe necessary to protect the public."

Strengthened security would be most visible at Heathrow but other sites would be on higher alert and troops would remain "for as long as the Metropolitan Police requires our assistance", said a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence.

The troops had been drafted in "from various training exercises" across the UK and will be joined at Heathrow by a small number of armoured vehicles, he added.

Heathrow Airport said in a statement: "This morning at about 0600 the police took a number of measures to strengthen security in London. The most visible element of this arrangement is at Heathrow.

"The Met Police said these measures related to a potential threat to the capital. The intended arrangement includes the use of military personnel in support of the Met Police."

Mick Temple, managing director at Heathrow, said: "Safety and security for passengers and staff is our top priority. BAA works extremely closely with the Met Police on security issues and we are co-operating fully with these latest enhancements to security.

"We understand that this is a precautionary measure and we would ask passengers to continue to be vigilant and patient in the light of any delays that may be caused by this or any other additional security measures that may be introduced from time to time."

In recent months BAA has recruited hundreds of additional security staff at Heathrow, with extra checks on baggage and passengers, the statement concluded.

Passengers at Heathrow's Terminal Four this morning said the army's deployment was a welcome measure but it would not put them off travelling.

Chandana Tatia, 23, a marketing executive from Purley, Surrey, on her way to Madras in India today, said: "Army or not, I think people feel safe at the moment, but all the things that are going on in the world do worry me and my family.

"It does make you feel good knowing people are out there protecting your safety."

Jacqueline Chapman, 42, from Wallington, Surrey, was on her way to Budapest today.

She said: "I travelled to New York two months after September 11 and everybody told me to cancel then. I did not, so why should I be scared of travelling now?

"The army patrolling the airport is probably a good idea. They obviously think we need it, otherwise they would not be doing it. I think we've always got to be careful but putting soldiers at the airport does not really frighten me."

Duncan Darroch, 29, from the Wirral, near Liverpool, was on his way to the Bahamas to take up a post as an electrician there.

"It makes you feel a bit safer," he said. "I do worry about going on a plane since what happened in New York but I suppose this is more reassuring than frightening. It would not put me off flying."

Mike Yardley, an expert on terrorism, said: "This is a message to anyone with ill intent that we are prepared to beef up security at these installations and that they are likely to receive a hot reception.

"It is a reminder also of when armed policemen were introduced at our airports – that was not just a tactical move but a strategic one too.

"It is sending a message to terrorists and to people who use airports that we are taking precautions.

"However, in the present context it may be an indicator that the Government is intending to go to war in a fairly short time."

Last week the US national terror alert was raised from yellow to orange following a "high risk" intelligence warning of a terrorist attack.