Armed Police in Bomb Swoop

[Matt]

Armed police hunting the July 21 suicide bomb gang have launched a major operation in the capital.

Dozens of officers, some wearing gas masks, swooped on the Notting Hill area of west London.

There were reports of loud bangs being heard, although it was unclear whether these were the result of police controlled explosions or something else.

There were also unconfirmed reports of gunfire and policemen shouting, "Mohammed, what is the problem?", "Take your clothes off", and "Why won't you come out?"

Scotland Yard said the operation was in connection with last week's failed nail bomb attacks on London's transport network.

Only one of the bomb suspects who tried to set off devices on three Tube trains and a bus has been caught.

Witnesses said police swooped at around 11.30am Friday and sealed off Tavistock Road and the adjoining crescent.

Tavistock Road runs close to Westbourne Park Tube station where the man who attempted to blow himself up on a train near Shepherd's Bush on July 21 got on to the network.

Steve Ullathorne, 42, a photographer who lives in Tavistock Road, said: "There are two police men with machine guns and gas masks on Tavistock Road.

"Two of them are stationed outside my house and the roads are completely closed.''

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are in the early stages of an armed operation in the W10 area of west London.

"It's in connection with the attempted bombings on July 21 and cordons are in place as a precaution.''

John Athanasiou, who works at estate agents Winkworth on Ladbroke Grove, said: "We've had loads of police cars flying up Ladbroke Grove towards the Harrow Road.

"There's been a helicopter overhead as well.''

A number of ambulances were sent to the scene along with a bomb disposal truck.

The Shepherd's Bush bomber was last seen running along nearby Wood Lane last Thursday.

On Saturday, a bomb was discovered in bushes at Little Wormwood Scrubs, about a mile from today's scene.

Last Friday police raided an address in Harrow Road about half a mile away for today's operation.

Ladbroke Grove is an upmarket inner London district, which is popular with celebrities.