Terror attack fears on water source

Private jets and light aircraft could be used by terrorists to launch attacks on crowds and buildings in Britain, the Government’s anti-terror expert has warned.

Residents fear one target could be the massive Clywedog Dam, which provides drinking water for Shropshire and Mid Wales.

A report by Lord Carlile of Berriew today claims senior police officers have highlighted the possibility of terror missions being launched from small airports, where security is less stringent.

The former MP for Montgomeryshire says jets could be hijacked and used as vehicle bombs to target the public.

Lord Carlile said the thousands of small, rented planes capable of travelling at high speeds between EU countries and the UK should be subjected to far stricter checks.

Today’s warning came after town councillors in Llanidloes had already expressed a fear that changes to the manning of the Clywedog Dam, could leave it vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

Severn Trent announced last month that night staffing at Clywedog Dam in Llanidloes has been removed, with the reservoir now being monitored by a computer system between 4pm and 8am.

But at the council’s meeting last night, town mayor councillor David Jones said the water company had written to him offering to meet councillors on Friday in a bid to allay their fears.

Lord Carlile’s 60-page report has prompted fears that Britain has been left open to a terrorist attack similar to the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington DC.

There are an estimated 8,500 private aircraft and up to 500 “landing sites” in Britain, which can range from farmers’ fields to regional airports.