TERROR SWOOP SPARKS M-WAY CHAOS
THOUSANDS HELD UP IN 10-HOUR DELAYS
THOUSANDS of travellers heading for the continent faced long delays as police launched a major counter terrorism operation at one of Britain’s busiest ports.
Every vehicle and passenger was checked with nine-mile queues reported heading into Dover in Kent.
Video emerged on social media of what appeared to be armed police storming the docks at around 11.30am. Vehicles were seen rushing into the port with blue flashing lights.
A spokesman for Counter Terrorism Policing said: ‘We can confirm that a request was made for enhanced security checks to be carried out.
‘This was in relation to ongoing operational activity and this requirement has since been stood down.
‘We would like to reassure the public that there is no threat to public safety in relation to this activity and thank all those affected for their cooperation and understanding.’
P&O Ferries reported ‘ very heavy traffic in and around Dover causing extraordinary delays’.
Increased checks were also being carried out at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, a spokeswoman for the Port of Dover said.
Kent Police said: ‘Operation Stack is in place on the coast-bound carriageway of the M20 between Junctions 8 and 9 following a police operation at Kent ports in which all vehicles and passengers were being checked. The policing operation has now been stood down and border control checks are returning to normality.’
A 24-year-old man has been arrested at Luton Airport on suspicion of a terrorism offence after arriving on a flight from Turkey, but it is not known if the incident was linked.