The US-based National Terror Alert Response Center reported on 13 October that the UK government is aware of an Al-Qaeda plot to bomb a Premier League soccer game on live TV.A “top-placed” UK security source is reported to have said: “We have concrete intelligence that Al-Qaeda is planning an attack that would be seen live on television. We understand they’re targeting a Premiership stadium, probably by a suicide pilot flying a light aircraft right into the stand while a match is being broadcast.”
The story can be found at:
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/updates/2007/10/13/britain-al-qaeda-plotting-to-bomb-soccer-game-on-live-tv/
In the UK security controls over access to light aircraft parked at aerodromes are non-existent, many sit on the tarmac at weekends ready fuelled, passenger can take to the skies in light aircraft in the company of an instructor with no need to present ID (in the guise of an “experience” or “birthday gift” flight), and it is unlikely that the theft of a light aircraft would prompt an immediate RAF response. If a passenger were to kill the instructor there are dual controls in the passenger’s seat, air traffic controllers would probably not become suspicious provided the hijacker used correct radio protocol, and light aircraft are generally allowed to fly at an altitude of 150m over most stadia in any case. A horrifying vulnerability if you think too long about it!
The UK National Counterterrorism Security Office has published a useful guideline for those whose responsibility includes the security of sports stadia against terrorist attack. Click here to download.
