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Flat searched in plane bomb probe Flat searched in plane bomb probe
(about 7 hours later)
Police are searching a number of properties in central London as a man is charged with trying to blow up a US airliner flying to Detroit.Police are searching a number of properties in central London as a man is charged with trying to blow up a US airliner flying to Detroit.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, from Nigeria, is alleged to have had an explosive device hidden in his clothes.Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, from Nigeria, is alleged to have had an explosive device hidden in his clothes.
He is said to have been an engineering student at University College London. Security has been stepped up at UK airports for flights to the US following the incident.
The Metropolitan Police have been searching a flat at an apartment block in Mansfield Street, central London, and other properties in the capital. It has also emerged that the suspect, who previously studied in London, was denied a UK visa this summer.
Police have cordoned off Mansfield Street in front of the apartment block. Mr Abdulmutallab is said to have been an engineering student at University College London between 2005 and 2008.
Went travelling But according to Whitehall sources he was refused permission to return by the UK Border Agency after attempting to apply for a course at a bogus college.
Nigerian former banker Alhaji Umaru Mutallab said he believed the man was his son. Hospital room
Mr Mutallab said his son Umar had studied in London before going travelling. The Metropolitan Police have been searching a flat at an apartment block in Mansfield Street, Marylebone, and other properties in the capital.
The security of the public must always be our primary concern Gordon Brown class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8430699.stm">Man charged with attack on US jet class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8431058.stm">'Attack' raises fresh security fears Meanwhile, in the US a federal judge has formally charged Mr Abdulmutallab with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on Christmas Day.
His son had not lived in London for some time and he was not sure of his whereabouts, he added.
He said: "I believe he might have been to Yemen, but we are investigating to determine that."
Mr Mutallab has travelled from his home in northern Nigeria to meet officials in the capital Abuja.
A spokesperson for University College London (UCL) said a student called Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was enrolled on a mechanical engineering course between September 2005 and June 2008.
It added: "It must be stressed that the university has no evidence that this is the same person currently being referred to in the media."
Security has been stepped up at UK airports for flights to the US, causing delays.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been in contact with Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson because of the "serious potential threat".
Mr Brown said: "We will continue to take whatever action is necessary to protect passengers on airlines and the public."
Explosive device
A US federal judge formally charged Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Christmas Day.
The hearing took place in Mr Abdulmutallab's hospital room at the University of Michigan Medical Center where he is being treated for burns.The hearing took place in Mr Abdulmutallab's hospital room at the University of Michigan Medical Center where he is being treated for burns.
An affidavit filed in support of the charge stated: "As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion. We've agreed with the US authorities enhanced search regimes for passengers Transport Secretary Lord Adonis class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8431470.stm">Father warned about 'jet bomber' class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8431058.stm">'Attack' raises fresh security fears
The plane was carrying 278 passengers An affidavit filed in support of the charge stated: "As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion."
"Abdulmutallab was then subdued and restrained by the passengers and flight crew. Passengers on Flight 253 say a man was overpowered after trying to ignite an explosive device as the Airbus A330 came into land.
"The airplane landed shortly thereafter, and he was taken into custody by Customs and Border Patrol officers."
Passengers on the Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on Christmas Day say a man was overpowered after trying to ignite an explosive device as the Airbus 330 approached Detroit from Amsterdam.
According to ABC News in the US, the plot was organised by al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen after the suspect made contact with a radical imam in the country through the internet.
They reportedly sewed bomb materials into the suspect's underwear. But federal investigators told ABC the device failed because the detonator was either too small or was not in "proper contact" with the explosive material.
Increased searches
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the device contained about 80g of a high explosive, which had been moulded around the suspect's body and was apparently able to pass undetected through airport checks.BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the device contained about 80g of a high explosive, which had been moulded around the suspect's body and was apparently able to pass undetected through airport checks.
He said it did appear the man may have been on the radar of American and UK intelligence agencies, but was not considered a serious target for investigation and was not on the US no-fly list. He said it did appear Mr Abdulmutallab may have been on the radar of American and UK intelligence agencies, but did not cause serious concern and was not on the US no-fly list.
Our correspondent added the British authorities were informed of a possible connection to the UK on Friday evening. It is understood one of the British authorities' key priorities will be to check whether he has cropped up in the course of any other investigations.
It is understood one of their key priorities will be to check whether the arrested man has cropped up in the course of any other investigations. Delays
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC that security had been tightened on transatlantic flights.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC that security had been tightened on transatlantic flights.
"We've agreed with the US authorities enhanced search regimes for passengers on flights to and from the United States," he said."We've agreed with the US authorities enhanced search regimes for passengers on flights to and from the United States," he said.
The plane was carrying 278 passengers
"Those have taken place immediately. They will lead to delays in flights to the US, which I'm sure passengers will understand in the circumstances.""Those have taken place immediately. They will lead to delays in flights to the US, which I'm sure passengers will understand in the circumstances."
UK airport operator BAA confirmed that passengers taking flights to the US would face increased searches before boarding.UK airport operator BAA confirmed that passengers taking flights to the US would face increased searches before boarding.
In a statement, BAA said: "Passengers travelling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding." The British Airways website, meanwhile, said that under revised security arrangements, travellers to the US would only be allowed one piece of hand luggage.
The British Airways website said Washington has revised its security arrangements for all travellers to the US and they would only be allowed one piece of hand luggage.
BA said the directive meant US-bound passengers on all airlines would be subjected to additional screening.
A spokesman said: "We apologise to passengers for any delays to their journeys. Safety and security are our top priorities and will not be compromised."A spokesman said: "We apologise to passengers for any delays to their journeys. Safety and security are our top priorities and will not be compromised."
Exclusive flats
BBC News correspondent Richard Slee said there was fairly low-key police activity at the last known London address of Mr Abdulmutallab, a basement flat in the block near Harley Street.
Reporting from the scene, he said police forensic officers had been seen going into the building.
A blue English Heritage plaque states that philanthropist Sir Robert Mayer once lived in the block where properties have recently sold for between £1.5m and £2.5m.
The Metropolitan Police said its officers were liaising with the US authorities.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "Searches are being carried out at addresses in central London."