Editorial
Police have confirmed they are treating the explosion of a taxi outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital on November 14 as a ‘terrorist’ incident.
Russ Jackson, the head of Counterterrorism Policing in Northwest England, claimed the blast took place just before the nation’s two minutes silence and involved an ‘improvised explosive device’.
The statement read: “The investigation into the explosion at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, led by Counter Terrorism Policing is continuing at pace.
Find out more about the ‘terrorism’ incident in the clip below…
“The circumstances, as we understand them to be, are that yesterday shortly before 11am, a local taxi driver [who has been named as Dave Perry] picked up a fare in the Rutland Avenue area of Liverpool.
“The fare, a man, had asked to be taken to the Liverpool Women’s Hospital which was about 10 minutes away. As the taxi approached the drop-off point at the hospital, an explosion occurred from within car, which quickly engulfed it in flames.
“Remarkably, the taxi driver, escaped from the cab. He has been treated for the injuries he sustained and has now been released from hospital.
“Emergency services quickly attended the scene and Merseyside Fire and Rescue put out the fire following which it quickly became apparent that the passenger remained in the vehicle and was deceased.
“Army Ordinance Disposal officers have examined the scene at the hospital and made the area safe.
“Following discussions with Ordinance Disposal Officers, we are able to confirm that this is being treated as the ignition of an explosive device.
“Our enquiries also indicate that the device was brought into the cab by the passenger. We believe we know the identity of the passenger but cannot confirm this at this time.”
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The statement then confirmed that four arrests have been made in connection with the incident, after investigations led police to a number of addresses in the city’s Kensington area.
It continued: “The first was Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area of Liverpool and at this location three men aged 21, 26 and 29 were arrested yesterday under S41 of the Terrorism Act.
“A short while ago, again in the Kensington area, a further man aged 20 was arrested under S41 of the Terrorism Act.
“They will be interviewed by Counter Terrorism officers later today.”
The ‘heroic taxi driver’ has since been praised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his ‘incredible presence of mind and bravery’.
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