May says co-operation is vital to UK's security

Mrs May highlighted the importance of co-operation with the United States over security issues after meeting her US counterpart Janet Napolitano for private talks in London.

Her call comes after Scotland Yard said a bomb found on a cargo plane at East Midlands Airport in October was timed to detonate over the eastern seaboard of the US.

Mrs May also outlined plans for the future of the UK's counter-terrorism powers, which were published earlier this week.

They include replacing controversial control orders for suspected terrorists who cannot be prosecuted with terrorism prevention and investigation measures, Tpims, dubbed "control orders-lite" by critics.

Other proposals include ending the indiscriminate use of terrorism stop-and-search powers, banning councils from using surveillance powers to investigate low-level offences and launching a stronger effort to deport foreign nationals involved in terrorist activity.

This week also saw the end of 28-day detention without charge, which was allowed to lapse back to 14 hours on Tuesday.

Mrs May said: "I was delighted to meet with Secretary Napolitano this afternoon to reaffirm our shared purpose, in particular around tackling security issues.

"We agreed that global threats require an effective global response. Only by working together, and in close co-operation with our international partners, can we protect the freedoms and values we share."

Last year, police said the bomb discovered at East Midlands Airport was disguised as an ink cartridge on a UPS aircraft.

As part of security measures brought in following the foiled attacks, countries sending air freight to the UK are being "graded" according to risk.