Police set IRA road traps

ARMED police are setting up road-blocks on London streets in a new offensive against IRA bombers. Task forces of about 45 officers, including firearms specialists and dog handlers, have stopped vehicles in the East End for questioning on nearly 20 occasions over the last fortnight. City of London police are also carrying out random searches in the financial centre.

Senior officers believe that an IRA cell is based in east London. In recent weeks, van bombs have been found at Canary Wharf, Bethnal Green, Stoke Newington and Tottenham Court Road.

Superintendent Bob Keeble said: 'Terrorists have to move about and transfer their weapons from location to location. The presence of this type of road- block should have a deterrent effect as they run a risk of being detected.' Police also hoped the move would reassure the public that they were taking action.