Mock “chemical strike” planned on Tube
A counter-terrorism exercise will be staged on the Tube on Sunday.
The “chemical strike” will be on a train on the Waterloo and City line at Bank station.
Nick Raynsford, Minister for London, said: “London has faced many challenges and threats in the 2,000 years of its history, not least in the last 30 years. We have to be prepared for all threats that emerge.”
The ‘CBRN attack’ (chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons) will involve the army and police, as well fire and ambulance officers.
The scale of the drill codenamed Osiris 2 is a first in the City of London. The exercise is expected to end at 15:30 GMT Sunday.
Police and the fire brigade will try out new chemical, biological and radiation detection equipment.
It comes after Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens warned of an “imminent” terror attack in the UK.
In an interview with Reuters, Sir John said: “We are at the highest level of alert, I think, that we have ever been.
“That quantum leap is all about people prepared to give their lives in relation to their causes,” he said.
Waterloo and City lines will be used in order that Central line services can pass through Bank station without disruption.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said: “Having a regular programme of exercises is essential to our counter-terrorism work. I believe the British people will be reassured, rather than alarmed, that we are undertaking this work.”
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said: “We are living in difficult and unpredictable times and it is essential the Government takes every reasonable step to deter terrorist activities in the UK and to test our response.
“Sunday’s exercise is a sensible and practical step in the fight against terrorism and allows us to test contingency plans.”
And the Major of London Ken Livingstone said: “The threat from terrorism remains real and serious. This is not alarmist, nor a response to any specific threat. And there are many practical lessons we can learn from working in a complex environment such as a major transport interchange.”
NHS services will also be tested on their response to the mock attack.
