Dramatic moment armed cops arrest teen terror suspect after ‘explosive device’ found on tube next to O2 arena
The 19-year-old bearded white man was tasered on a busy shopping street in Holloway, north London
THIS is the dramatic moment armed cops arrested a teen suspected of planting a bomb on the tube - as it emerged he may have been planning further attacks.
The 19-year-old man was tasered on a busy shopping street today after a 'viable' explosive device was found on a train near the O2 arena on Thursday.
The threat level for transport in London has been raised to 'severe' meaning an attack is 'highly likely'.
And security officials have contacted the Ministry of Defence to warn military personnel the suspect may have planted more devices, according to the
A memo to its staff said: "This increase is in response to the discovery of a suspected viable improvised explosive device (IED) on a London Underground train yesterday.
"It is unknown who placed the device and what their motivation was.
"Therefore it remains possible that the perpetrator may attempt to place further devices.
"The threat level will continue to be reviewed as further information is received."
More armed police have been deployed at transport hubs across the capital following the terror alert.
Gun cops stormed North Greenwich station over reports of a suspicious device on Thursday.
Police evacuated the station next to the O2 arena while a bomb squad carried out a controlled explosion.
Today a 19-year-old man was Tasered and arrested on a busy shopping street in Holloway Road, north London.
Gun cops shouted "armed police, don't struggle" as they detained a white bearded man wearing a hoodie.
He is being held in connection with a package left on a Jubilee line train which sparked a major terror alert.
Witnesses described the dramatic moment armed cops swooped just after midday.
Emi Koizumi told the : "We saw loads of police, including armed (police) and also plain clothed (officers) with their faces covered.
“The plain clothed police ran off down the street towards Highbury Corner right as we walked up.
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“No one would tell us what was going on under the railway bridge.”
Another witness said: "He was struggling not to get arrested, for like a good five minutes.
"They were shouting 'armed police, don't struggle'.
"Everything happened so quick."
He described the man as white, in his early twenties and wearing a hoodie.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Officers are keeping an open mind regarding any possible motive. They are not looking for anyone else in relation to this investigation at this stage."
Today the Met said high visibility patrols are also being carried out by British Transport Police (BTP) officers.
It is hoped the measure will reassure the travelling public.
Passengers were urged to remain vigilant and report anything concerning to the authorities.
Will Geddes, founder of private security firm International Corporate Protection, described the Tube network as "pretty safe" and said the suspect "couldn't have picked a more modern Tube line" in the Jubilee line.
He told the Press Association: "There's very extensive CCTV and security measures which will have expedited the process of identifying the suspect.
"If they used an Oyster card it's another identifier that links the suspect to the package.
"In terms of the response by the authorities it couldn't have been more efficient and effective, which provides reassurance to the general public in how capable and rehearsed our authorities and emergency services are in responding to these kind of events."
Following the discovery of the suspect device, Manuel Cortes, leader of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, called for the Tube network to be shut down "until we are given assurances that it's made as safe as possible".
But North Greenwich station was reopened on Thursday night and the Underground returned to normal operation.
Mr Geddes said: "It's always going to be a difficult call.
"If they felt that the threat could not be isolated and controlled then yes they probably would have closed the entire line down.
"However, we know that the Tube is a lifeline for London and the many thousands of people who travel on it every single day."
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