Anonymous tipoff: Police threatened with kidnap & murder
Security forces are on heightened alert amid fears of a “lone wolf” attack that concerns a plot to kidnap and kill a police officer, according to British media.
West Midlands Police claim officers and staff were told to take “additional security measures,” including not wearing their uniforms when traveling between home and work.
The force wouldn’t disclose the nature of the source and didn’t provide further details about the threat. Sky News and the BBC say the threat relates to a plan to kidnap and kill a West Midlands officer.
“It was anonymous, but credible information and we acted swiftly to relay details to officers and remind them over [sic] the importance to remain vigilant,” West Midlands police Assistant Chief Constable Garry Forsyth said.
Staff were briefed on Monday after the force received an anonymous call. Patrols continued normally on Tuesday.
“There is nothing at this time to suggest there is an increased risk to members of the public,” Forsyth added.
Earlier this year, the UK terror threat level was increased from “substantial” to “severe.” Counter-terrorism officials have warned that an attack on British soil is “inevitable.”
READ MORE:Terrorist attack in Britain ‘inevitable’ – security chiefs
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said no further guidance had been given to Met officers following the alert.
“I believe it to be an anonymous call that’s been made,” he told the Guardian. “One of my colleagues has talked to the chief constable of West Midlands this morning to find out exactly what the state of that threat is. And once we’ve assessed it, we’ll decide whether or not to give any further advice.”
The Commissioner added the force tried not to “overreact” in such situations.
In May 2013, two self-styled “soldiers of Allah” murdered Lee Rigby, an off-duty British army soldier, in South London.
In October this year, five men were charged with plotting to kill police officers or soldiers on the streets of London. They reportedly kept Instagram images of two Scotland Yard police officers and two Metropolitan police community support officers, as well as jihadist material including videos of beheadings.
