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Exeter bomb loaded with chemicals Exeter bomb loaded with chemicals
(about 1 hour later)
A bomb which exploded in Exeter was a mix of chemicals and nails, senior police sources have said.A bomb which exploded in Exeter was a mix of chemicals and nails, senior police sources have said.
Police are waiting to question Nicky Reilly, 22, who is under guard being treated for severe facial lacerations following Thursday's explosion.Police are waiting to question Nicky Reilly, 22, who is under guard being treated for severe facial lacerations following Thursday's explosion.
They are said to have CCTV film showing the suspect boarding a bus from his Plymouth home carrying a rucksack.They are said to have CCTV film showing the suspect boarding a bus from his Plymouth home carrying a rucksack.
Neighbours have told BBC News the recent convert to Islam changed his name two weeks ago to Mohammed Rasheed. A bomb disposal team arrived at Mr Reilly's home in the Stonehouse area of Plymouth at lunchtime on Friday.
A team of about 20 specialists from Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism branch SO15, has been brought in to help Devon and Cornwall Police with the investigation. Police said Mr Reilly boarded a double-decker Stagecoach bus number X38 in Bretonside bus station, Plymouth, and have appealed to passengers on the service to contact them.
"We know that between 1026 and 1040 yesterday morning 54 other passengers boarded the same bus and travelled to the main bus station in Paris Street, Exeter, arriving just after midday," a spokesman said.
He was preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of Deputy Chief Constable Tony MelvilleHe was preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville
The bus made two scheduled stops at a garden centre on the A38 and at Ashburton en route to Exeter.
Mr Reilly is described as white, 6ft 1in with short dark hair. He is heavily built, weighing approximately 18st (114kg). He was wearing blue jeans and a blue polo shirt with horizontal red and white stripes.
Neighbours of Mr Reilly have told BBC News he converted to Islam changed his name to Mohammed Rasheed.
A team of about 20 specialists from Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism branch SO15, has been brought in to help Devon and Cornwall Police with the investigation.
It includes forensic officers, intelligence experts and detectives.It includes forensic officers, intelligence experts and detectives.
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Amateur footage of the aftermath
After the arrest, police evacuated properties 40 miles away in the Stonehouse area of Plymouth.After the arrest, police evacuated properties 40 miles away in the Stonehouse area of Plymouth.
Officers from the Tactical Aid Group then searched a flat in King Street, Plymouth, where Reilly lived with his mother and brother.Officers from the Tactical Aid Group then searched a flat in King Street, Plymouth, where Reilly lived with his mother and brother.
A Royal Navy bomb disposal team entered the premises at lunchtime on Friday.
Mr Reilly, who police have said has a history of mental illness, was injured when a device detonated in the Giraffe restaurant at Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter at 1250 BST.Mr Reilly, who police have said has a history of mental illness, was injured when a device detonated in the Giraffe restaurant at Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter at 1250 BST.
CCTV footage taken from a nearby camera appears to show him emerging from the cafe with blood pouring down his face.CCTV footage taken from a nearby camera appears to show him emerging from the cafe with blood pouring down his face.
A bomb disposal team has arrived at the Reilly family's Plymouth flat
Detectives said he suffered serious, but not life-threatening, injuries, and was unlikely to be well enough to be properly questioned until next week.Detectives said he suffered serious, but not life-threatening, injuries, and was unlikely to be well enough to be properly questioned until next week.
No-one else was hurt in the explosion at the restaurant, which was busy at the time and is popular with families.No-one else was hurt in the explosion at the restaurant, which was busy at the time and is popular with families.
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Amateur footage of the aftermath
Another device was found outside the premises and was made safe by bomb disposal experts.Another device was found outside the premises and was made safe by bomb disposal experts.
The explosion led to an evacuation of nearby buildings and the city's bus station about half a mile away.The explosion led to an evacuation of nearby buildings and the city's bus station about half a mile away.
People were allowed to return at about 1900 BST.People were allowed to return at about 1900 BST.
'Big friendly giant'
In a statement, Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said: "Our investigation so far indicates Reilly, who had a history of mental illness, had adopted the Islamic faith.In a statement, Deputy Chief Constable Tony Melville said: "Our investigation so far indicates Reilly, who had a history of mental illness, had adopted the Islamic faith.
"We believe, despite his weak and vulnerable illness, he was preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of.""We believe, despite his weak and vulnerable illness, he was preyed upon, radicalised and taken advantage of."
Police have searched a Plymouth flat
Syed Rahman, chairman of a Plymouth Islamic centre where Reilly once worshipped, told BBC News that those with a fundamentalist agenda were not welcome.Syed Rahman, chairman of a Plymouth Islamic centre where Reilly once worshipped, told BBC News that those with a fundamentalist agenda were not welcome.
He said: "We do not have and have never supported or condoned any radical or extremist behaviour.He said: "We do not have and have never supported or condoned any radical or extremist behaviour.
"This Islamic centre is only used for communal prayers.""This Islamic centre is only used for communal prayers."
People living near the flat in Plymouth where he lived, described him as a "big friendly giant". Omar Siddiqui, friend of Mr Reilly's and the president of the Islamic Society at the University of Plymouth, said he was stunned and amazed at what has been alleged.
The £230m Princesshay development officially opened last September. Mr Siddiqui said Plymouth's 3,500-strong Muslim community were moderate and he knew of no groups which would preach hate.
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw: "It's shocking when something like this happens on your doorstep, but I think the people of Exeter handled it very well." People living near the Mr Reilly's Plymouth home, where he has lived with his family for many years, have described him as a "big friendly giant" who was "obsessed" with computers.