Armed British police searched a home Saturday in a London suburb and evacuated the surrounding area as a precaution after an earlier arrest in connection with Friday’s rush hour bombing on a London subway train that injured 30 people.
A police spokesman said the search and evacuation in Sunbury, on the southwestern outskirts of the capital, got underway after the “significant” arrest of an 18-year-old man in the port area of Dover, a major ferry port for travel between Britain and France.
“He was arrested on the suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism,” Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Neil Basu said at a Saturday news conference.
WATCH: Scotland Yard Official: 121 Witnesses to Attack Identified
Basu also said investigators were keeping and “open mind” as to whether more than one person was involved in the attack.
“We are still pursuing numerous lines of inquiry, and at a great pace,” Basu said. “Our priorities … are to identify and locate any other suspects,” he added.
Earlier Saturday, London Transport authorities said they had reopened the Parsons Green station where the bomb on a train partially detonated.
Images of the bomb posted on social media appeared to show a bucket on fire that had been placed inside a plastic bag close to a rail car door.
Prime Minister Theresa May said after the attack that the country’s Joint Terrorism Analysis Center had decided to raise the country’s threat level to “critical,” meaning another attack might be imminent.
WATCH: Police Manhunt Following Terror Attack on London Underground
London Police Commissioner Cressida Dick told reporters Saturday the threat level had been altered.
“We have a very considerable threat. My colleagues in the intelligence agency would say that this is a shift in threat, it’s not a spike. I won’t go on in detail about that, but it is a change threat,” Dick said.
WATCH: Scotland Yard Official: ‘Threat Level Remains at Critical’
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the assault. The terrorist group, however, has a history of claiming responsibility for attacks it may not be connected with.
Shortly after the attack, armed police descended into the Parsons Green station.
May said the public might see more armed police on the streets and the transport network. The prime minister also said members of the military would begin aiding police, providing security at some sites not accessible to the public.
The National Health Service said late Friday that 21 people who were in the subway car at the time of the explosion were being treated at hospitals, while eight other people had been discharged.
The blast was the fifth major terrorist attack in Britain this year.
Trump weighs in
U.S. President Donald Trump called May on Friday to convey his sympathies, the office of the White House press secretary said in a statement.
The statement said Trump “pledged to continue close collaboration with the United Kingdom to stop attacks worldwide targeting innocent civilians and to combat extremism.”
Earlier, the British prime minister admonished Trump for his initial reaction to the attack. Trump had tweeted, “Another attack in London by a loser terrorist. These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!”
Another attack in London by a loser terrorist.These are sick and demented people who were in the sights of Scotland Yard. Must be proactive!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2017
May responded to the tweet, telling the BBC, “I never think it’s helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation.”
London police said their investigation into Friday’s attack was being supported by MI-5, Britain’s domestic intelligence agency.
Foreign Minister Boris Johnson appealed for calm and said it was important not to speculate.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the British capital “will never be intimidated or defeated by terrorism.” | voanews
