July 7 police search Leeds flat

Police investigating the July 7 London bombings began searching a flat today and showing neighbours photographs of the four bombers.

The Metropolitan Police said detectives raided a one-bedroom flat in Shepherd's Lane, Harehills, Leeds.

Local residents said officers arrived at about 7am and showed householders in the street photos of the bombers – Mohammed Siddique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain and Jermaine Lindsay.

These four men died when they exploded four bombs on three Tube trains and a bus in July 2005 killing 52 people.

Investigators do not believe any of the bombers, whose backgrounds have been thoroughly researched, ever lived at the flat.

But they are looking for evidence to suggest the property was used as a base, or even to prepare the bombs.

The Harehills area of Leeds has never been central to the story of the bombings.

It is a number of miles from the Beeston area, where three of the four bombers had connections, and the Hyde Park area, where their bomb factory was discovered.

Police stressed that the current resident of the flat, who is believed to have been moved to a hotel, is not linked in any way to the inquiry.

One neighbour said he recognised the bombers' ringleader Siddique Khan in one of the photos he was shown by police who knocked at his door this morning.

The resident, who gave his name only as Mohammed, said the officers went into the house opposite his carrying bags and cameras.

"I could tell from what they were carrying in that this was more than just a TV licensing raid," he said.

"It was a shock to see the police this morning.

"I've not heard of any trouble in this area. I go to the local mosque. I would hear about things like this."

Mohammed, 30, said Eastern European people had been living in the house recently.

Before that, an Asian family lived there.

Mohammed said an Asian man, who he thought was from Pakistan, lived in the house by himself but later brought other relatives over.

He said the man lived in the house for a number of years.

"He kept himself to himself," he said.

Another neighbour said police knocked on his door and showed him four face-shots which he recognised as the London bombers.

A number of police officers and vehicles were outside the house this morning although the property was not taped off.

A team of workmen arrived from Leeds City Council and began boarding up the building.

Next door to the house is an Islamic bookshop, which was closed today.

Neighbours said it has been open only a month and before that it was a drop-in advice centre for refugees.

Detectives from the Met's anti-terror unit raided the flat, which is in a predominantly Asian suburb around two miles from Leeds city centre.

Sources said the raid followed a tip-off from a member of the public.

Detective Assistant Commissioner John McDowall made a further appeal for information today, saying the force continued to search for anyone who knew of the bombers' plans.

He said: "While it is more than three years since the attacks, this remains a painstaking investigation, and as we have previously said we are determined to identify anyone else who knew what was being planned.

"As a result of our inquiries we are carrying out an extensive search of the flat to determine whether there are any links to the people responsible for the 7/7 attacks.

"I would urge anyone who has suspicions about activity in the flat either in the months leading up to the 7/7 attacks or afterwards, to contact police.

"Any information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, could be important."

West Yorkshire Police said officers from the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Leeds were helping with the search.

Chief Superintendent Gerry Broadbent, Divisional Commander for North East Leeds, said: "This is an ongoing investigation led by the Metropolitan Police Service and supported by officers from the Counter Terrorism Unit Leeds.

"I recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this activity and our neighbourhood policing team will be out in the area as usual to speak to anyone who may have concerns.

"Local police officers are keeping the community informed.

"We are grateful for the assistance, support and understanding of people locally."

No one has been convicted over the London bombings, but three men from Beeston, Leeds, accused of helping to plan the bombings face re-trial early next year.

The trial of Waheed Ali, Sadeer Saleem and Mohammed Shakil was abandoned in August after the jury failed to reach a verdict.

They are accused of carrying out a "hostile" reconnaissance mission in London seven months before the atrocities but claim visits to attractions such as the London Eye were part of an innocent tourist trip.

The landlord who owns the flat said he did not want to comment in detail about the investigation, saying he "didn't know what was going on".

Wajid Hussain said his most recent tenants were Polish.

He said he would have to "check the records" to see who was living there in 2005.

"One of my friends rang me this morning, saying my flat was being raided and that it's linked to London bombings and that's all I know," Mr Hussain said.

He said he had never been arrested or questioned by the police in connection with the London bombings.

Mr Hussain said he owned several properties across Leeds and had owned the flat in Shepherd's Lane for the past seven years.

A worker at the shop next door to the flat said: "We've only been open several months and we don't know what's happening."

Labour councillor Mohammed Rafique said the events of July 2005 continued to "cast a shadow over our city".

"The local community and I fully support the actions of the police and I would urge local residents to help in any way they can.

"Unfortunately this event will focus the media spotlight on Leeds for all the wrong reasons.

"As a city we must remain united against those who would try and use such events as an opportunity to pursue an agenda of hatred and division."