Reporter Threatened By Police Over Evidence Of 1974 IRA Pub Bombings

January 23, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A reporter who tried to give evidence to police about the 1974 Guildford pub bombings was "threatened" by officers, his father has told a coroner.

Charles King, whose son Rob, then 20, was among the first on the scene, has provided a statement to the coroner for a pre-inquest review later this year.

He said his son was held by police after he raised concerns about an alibi for one of the wrongly jailed Guildford Four and apparent police inaccuracies. Rob King died in 2000 at the age of 46.

Two IRA bombs went off in Guildford pubs on 5 October 1974, killing five and injuring 65.

Head Of National Cyber Security Centre Comments On Future Attacks

January 23, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A major cyber attack on the UK is a case of "when, not if", says the head of the National Cyber Security Centre.

Speaking to the Guardian, Ciaran Martin said the country had been lucky to avoid a "category one" attack - targeting infrastructure like energy companies and financial services. But Mr Martin said the UK was increasing its defence capabilities. His comments came after Gen Sir Nick Carter called for more defence spending to tackle the threat.

The head of the British Army said the UK needed to protect itself from "cyber-warfare" from Russia.

Finsbury Park Attacker Intent On Killing Muslims

January 22, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A man accused of driving a van into a crowd of people near two mosques in north London wanted to kill as many Muslims as possible, a court has heard.

Darren Osborne, 48, is accused of driving into a crowd of worshippers in Finsbury Park, killing Makram Ali, 51, and injuring nine others last year.

He targeted the crowd because they were Muslims, having grown angry at rising terrorism, Woolwich Crown Court heard. Mr Osborne from Cardiff, denies charges of murder and attempted murder.

Head Of Army Calls For More Investment

January 22, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Britain's armed forces risk falling behind Russia without more investment, the head of the Army will say.

General Sir Nick Carter will say the Army's ability to respond to threats "will be eroded if we don't keep up with our adversaries". The speech - approved by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson - comes amid speculation of potential defence cuts.

The warning comes after Russia practised simulated attacks across northern Europe.

In the speech, which will take place at the Royal United Services Institute on Monday, Gen Carter will highlight Russia's new cyber warfare capabilities.

Turkey Vows To Push Kurdish Militia Out Of Northern Syria

January 19, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Turkey has intensified its shelling of Kurdish militia in northern Syria, ahead of a threatened ground offensive aimed at driving them out of the area.

The Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) said 70 shells were fired overnight.

Turkey has for months said it would clear YPG fighters from Afrin, under Kurdish control since 2012. Turkey regards the YPG as a terrorist group. Syria has warned against an incursion, threatening to shoot down Turkish jets.

TV Crew Arrested Over Smuggling Fake Bomb Into Airport

January 19, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Seven TV crew members have been arrested at a US airport after allegedly trying to film the smuggling of a fake bomb through security.

The incident happened on Thursday at Newark Liberty in New Jersey. Transport officials said a bag carrying an item with "all the makings of an improvised explosive device" was found before it had cleared security.

Chinese Mafia Members Arrested By Italian Police

January 18, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Thirty-three people have been arrested in Italy on suspicion of being members of the Chinese mafia, police say.

The early morning raids targeted a group accused of controlling the transport across Europe of products made in China and by Chinese in Italy.

The "China Truck" operation was part of an investigation which started in 2011. The arrested suspects are accused of links to a criminal organisation. Police say 21 other people are under investigation.

UK Government To Spend An Extra £44.5m In Calais Border Points

January 18, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

An extra £44.5m is to be spent beefing up Channel border security, the UK government is to say later.

It will be spent on fencing, CCTV and infrared detection technology in Calais and other border points. It comes as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the UK for a summit with Theresa May.

Britain is also expected to commit to taking more migrants from Calais, especially unaccompanied children. He added that while Britain and France were heading in different directions as a result of Brexit, both governments are keen to show that they will continue to work closely together.

German Special Police Conduct Searches For Suspected Iranian Spies

January 17, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

German special police teams have searched flats linked to 10 suspected Iranian state spies.

The searches were triggered by German counter-intelligence. The Iranians, still at large, are suspected of spying on Israeli and/or Jewish targets.

Germany's Focus news said the raids took place in Berlin, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg.

In 1997 a Berlin verdict linked top Iranian politicians to the killing of four Iranian Kurdish dissidents. German investigators concluded that the assassination at Berlin's Mykonos restaurant in 1992 was the work of Iranian secret service agents.

Former CIA Officer Charged With Retaining National Defence Information

January 17, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A former CIA officer has been arrested in the US on charges of unlawful retention of classified information.

Jerry Chun Shing Lee, a naturalised US citizen, was held at New York's JFK airport on Monday, the US justice department said. He worked for the CIA between 1994 and 2007, when he left for Hong Kong.