Liverpool Bombing: Don't Let the Security Services Tell You They Didn't Know.

I did mention on my post about the murder of Sir David Amess MP that I'd heard on the grapevine weeks ago that a terror attack was imminent. I can't for obvious reasons go into why I know that, or how I had that information. 

I do also know that there is a credible threat of a set-piece terror attack involving more than one person. The sort of attack I've been warning against for the best part of a decade. 

I will still attend Christmas Markets this year, but I will be more vigilant than usual as the Mrs browses the stalls. 

Sadly the credible threat that the security services hope to neutralise with the use of armed Police at Christmas Markets will not stop the terrorists. Not unless every market or shopping mall has airport-style security at the entrances. 

A bomber would be happy taking just half a dozen people with him (or her: the threat of a female suicide bomber is very real) and to do that it only takes a split-second. Plod with guns can't react to that. 

So be wary out there people!

This is a public service announcement.

Anyway, now to the point of this post: the security services knew in advance of the threat in Liverpool. They knew very quickly who he was and it's now been revealed that he was purchasing bomb-making equipment as far back as April. 

You can't tell me that a person known to the security services (don't give me the bullshit he wasn't of concern) was allowed to buy bomb-making equipment for the best part of a year. I assume he mustn't have tested his skills because the bomb was thankfully a dud. But still the security services had ample intel and time to do something about it. But they didn't.

So ask yourselves: Why Not?

Terror in Liverpool: Rise of a Hero and Expectations of Bullshit Bingo.

 Okay, here we go again... yet another terror attack, this time in Liverpool, comes just weeks after the stabbing of MP Sir Davis Amess.

First off, lets congratulate the Taxi driver for his presence of forethought. Instead of driving his passenger to his intended target, he drove him to the Hospital. An area with few people around on a Sunday and also the best place to receive first aid should the worst happen. The driver David Perry is a brave and intelligent man.  He should if there is any justice, be awarded the George Medal.

Now the Bullshit Bingo bit. Points will be awarded for the following phrases: "Known to Intelligence Services", "Known to the Police", "Islamist", "Muslim", "Immigrant", "Asylum Seeker", "Refugee".

Apparently the authorities already know the identity of the exploded and charred remains in the back of the taxi. Therefore there's a very good chance for followers of bullshit bingo to score points on the first two phrases above. 

Yet nobody asks the question: If he was known to the security services, how was it he could build a viable bomb? How could he source such items if he was under surveillance?

UPDATE. Less than 24 Hours have passed and the Bullshit Bingo delivers. The bombing suspect is a Muslim (Ding!) Syrian Immigrant (Ding!) Refugee (Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!).  There is a rumour that he had converted to Christianity. I doubt the concept of Taqiyya is understood by the do-gooders that "Enzo"* the virgin-seeker conned.

No word of whether he was known to the security services, but within hours they knew his identity, had raided at least two addresses across Liverpool and had arrested a further three suspects. Bomb-making equipment has been found. Rumour is there were raids in other parts of the UK connected to the bombing.

Luckily his bomb didn't fully detonate. Thankfully not the first time a Muslim Virgin-seeker had failed to make a viable bomb. There's a lot of variables in bomb-making that thankfully the amateurs recruited by extremists haven't quite got a handle on. 

Primers and detonators are simple stuff. We used to make them in Science Labs at school back in the 70's when that sort of stuff was in science books. But initiating the explosion of the main explosive charge is a bit more involved that stuffing a detonator in a block of plastic explosive like in the movies.

Anyway, bullshit bingo continues. Add phase 2: "Mental Health", "victim", "radicalised", "Duped", "Not a (true) Muslim", "not representative".

Enjoy counting.

* I suspect when asked for a new "Christian" name "Enzo" was the model of Ferrari Mr Al Swealmeen envisioned receiving from Allah along with his virgins in  the afterlife.