Ferry port steps up anti-terror measures

PORTSMOUTH'S ferry port was today on a high state of alert over fears that terrorists were planning an attack on a ferry.

Port chiefs and emergency planning officials in the city home of the Royal Navy have been warned about a possible al-Qaida attack on a cross-Channel passenger ferry.

It is believed French and Dutch intelligence services warned last week that a lorry loaded with explosives would attempt to board a cross-Channel ferry.

They were acting on a tip-off from sources inside the FBI.

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The warning was put out to all ports and ferry companies last week in a secret bulletin from the government's transport security arm, Transec.

It played down the threat but at the same time asked ports to heighten their state of emergency.

Following early reports, Downing Street today issued a statement claiming no general warning on ferry travel had been received and that no-one should change their travel plans as a result.

But Portsmouth commercial port manager Martin Putman confirmed that the harbour had been on alert and remained so although there was no direct threat to ferries running in and out of Portsmouth.

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'We have increased security as well as every other ferry port to protect ships which sail out of Portsmouth,' he added.

'We are following the government's directions, but we have not had any specific threat to ships leaving Portsmouth this is a general warning which we are responding to.

'The general public will not notice anything unusual but there is extra surveillance going on. Monitoring freight has been stepped up.'

P&O Portsmouth also confirmed it had been told of the alert over the potential for terrorist attacks.

Portsmouth City Council communications boss Karen Traviss said the local authority had received a warning from Transec last week.