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Film of 'terror targets' released Film of 'terror targets' released
(about 1 hour later)
A suspected al-Qaeda gang was caught after a man was spotted filming potential targets on a mobile phone, police have said.A suspected al-Qaeda gang was caught after a man was spotted filming potential targets on a mobile phone, police have said.
Police believe the Algerian gang was planning to target train stations in London and shopping centres across England and Wales. Police believe the Algerian gang was conducting reconnaissance for a plot to target train stations in London and shopping centres in England and Wales.
Five men were arrested last year after one man was caught filming and acting suspiciously at Liverpool Street.Five men were arrested last year after one man was caught filming and acting suspiciously at Liverpool Street.
The footage was released to explain why police may stop people who are filming.The footage was released to explain why police may stop people who are filming.
City of London Police, who led the investigation, said the filming was an example of "hostile reconnaissance".City of London Police, who led the investigation, said the filming was an example of "hostile reconnaissance".
It released footage recorded on one man's mobile phone as he travelled around London.It released footage recorded on one man's mobile phone as he travelled around London.
JailedJailed
It showed the man examining Oxford Circus, Mornington Crescent and Camden Town Tube stations. He had filmed underground maps and lifts, CCTV cameras, entrances and exits of stations. It showed him examining Oxford Circus, Mornington Crescent and Camden Town Tube stations. He had filmed underground maps and lifts, CCTV cameras, entrances and exits of stations.
Extensive footage was also recorded at Liverpool Street railway station and at the Broadgate Circle shopping and restaurant plaza.Extensive footage was also recorded at Liverpool Street railway station and at the Broadgate Circle shopping and restaurant plaza.
During the video, the man gave a muttered running commentary in an obscure North African dialect.
A translator said the man said at one point: "There are cameras there, there are cameras everywhere."
The 7/7 bombers conduct reconaissance a week before the attacks
Police discovered the gang also visited shopping centres in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Bluewater in Kent, and Bridgend, south Wales.Police discovered the gang also visited shopping centres in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Bluewater in Kent, and Bridgend, south Wales.
Hostile reconnaissance footage is a tradable commodity within terrorist circles. Det Supt Chris Greany Two men were subsequently convicted of a huge mobile phone and luxury goods fraud scam and deported after serving prison sentences.
Two men were subsequently convicted of a huge mobile phone and luxury goods fraud racket and deported after serving prison sentences.
The police said the CPS had decided there was sufficient evidence to bring terrorism charges, but it was not in the public interest because they would have received the same sentence as for fraud.The police said the CPS had decided there was sufficient evidence to bring terrorism charges, but it was not in the public interest because they would have received the same sentence as for fraud.
Police believe the men may have been a fundraising and research arm of an al Qaeda-linked group in North Africa.Police believe the men may have been a fundraising and research arm of an al Qaeda-linked group in North Africa.
Det Supt Chris Greany, head of counter-terrorism at City of London Police, said: "Hostile reconnaissance footage is a tradable commodity within terrorist circles.Det Supt Chris Greany, head of counter-terrorism at City of London Police, said: "Hostile reconnaissance footage is a tradable commodity within terrorist circles.
"The actual attack team do not have to expose themselves to the risk of being disrupted. We want to set a balance between the challenges of policing and legitimate photography by tourists and the media.""The actual attack team do not have to expose themselves to the risk of being disrupted. We want to set a balance between the challenges of policing and legitimate photography by tourists and the media."
The footage was released following criticism of police for stopping and searching people taking photographs at tourist hotspots.The footage was released following criticism of police for stopping and searching people taking photographs at tourist hotspots.
It has been claimed police are misusing terrorism legislation to target tourists, photographers and the media in busy public places.It has been claimed police are misusing terrorism legislation to target tourists, photographers and the media in busy public places.
Police discovered that the 7 July 2005 London suicide bombers carried out reconnaissance of the Underground trains network prior to their attacks, one of the trips being a week before they struck.