Terrorists Thwarted In England

[With updates]

The British authorities have been busy:

Police say they have disrupted a major plot to blow up planes in mid-flight with explosive devices smuggled aboard as hand luggage.

Sky News has been told the plan was to hit around a dozen planes over UK and US cities.

Police are said to have arrested 20 people in London - the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.

Passengers trying to board international flights from the UK are not being allowed to carry on hand luggage.

The Home Office's level of security - indicating public risk - has been raised from 'severe' to 'critical'.

Sky News' Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said he understood the threat was imminent and those arrested were mainly young, British-born Asian men.

He said the alleged plan involved people boarding flights and detonating explosives on planes over UK and US cities.

The swoop followed a pre-planned intelligence led operation by the Met's anti-terrorist branch and security service.

A police statement said: "This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex. We will provide further information as soon as possible."

Not much info now, but by tomorrow morning we'll be able to read all about this a.) harmless gang of crackpots stung by police b.) disaffected group of youths driven to lash out against a racist society. Take your pick.

UPDATE:
It was liquid explosives. The ban on all carry-on luggage begins to become more understandable. The items you are allowed to carry in your hands must be inspected then wrapped in plastic. Baby food and formula is allowed, but must first be "tasted by the accompanying passenger." CNN has good video on what the airport procedures are:

British authorities said Thursday they had thwarted a terrorist plot to simultaneously blow up several aircraft heading to the United States using explosives smuggled in carry-on luggage. U.S.Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the terrorists planned to use liquid explosives disguised as beverages and other common products and detonators disguised as electronic devices.

I believe we're going with choice "b." These are disaffected "Asian" and "South Asian" youths, in other words, home-grown Muslim terrorists.

A baby at Edinburgh airport carrying his pre-tasted food supply.

UPDATE II:
President Bush names names: "Islamic fascists."
Lots of good coverage in the Times of London, including an article on some rather bitchy British Muslim community leaders.