Police release e-fit of bomber suspect

The e-fit of the suspect who bought the grey Saab

Police have released an e-fit of the man they believe bought the car used in the Ealing bomb blast last Friday.

Police urgently want to trace this man and appealing for anyone with information about him or the car to come forward.

The appeal follows a reconstruction of the events which led up to the bomb blast.

We urgently need to identify this man

Alan Fry
Anti-Terrorist Branch

Meanwhile one of the 11 people injured in the explosion has been readmitted to hospital in a critical condition after collapsing.

The suspect is described as white, aged in his mid 30s, 5ft 10 tall, of trim build, with straight blond mousy hair. He is said to have a pitted face - possibly acne scars - and a slightly dimpled chin.

He paid £425 in cash for the five-door saloon on Thursday 19 July from the Assured Car Finance Ltd in Ilford, Essex. He spoke with a soft Irish accent.

Head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch, Alan Fry, said: "We believe this man bought the grey Saab which was later filled with explosives and detonated in a busy west London street where hundreds of innocent people were enjoying an evening out.

Trigger memories

"We urgently need to identify this man. Where does he live? Where does he work? We would appeal to anyone - a friend or a relative - to come forward."

Police also want to hear from anyone who can provide information about the movements of the car after it was bought.

The Saab was reported abandoned in Esher Road, Ilford, around the corner from Green Lanes on Monday 30 July.

Police checks were made on the vehicle, but it was not reported lost or stolen. The local authority was contacted.

'Callous'

Police want to know where the vehicle was kept between being purchased on 19 July and the sighting on 30 July.

They also want to know what happened to it between 30 July and the evening of 2 August when it was parked in Ealing.

A 45-year-old man injured in the bomb blast has been readmitted to hospital in a critical condition.

The man, who has not been named, was first admitted to hospital after the attack last Friday and was treated for cuts and concussion.

He was released the next day but was readmitted on Wednesday and is in a critical condition, according to police.

Alan Fry hoped to jog memories of the attack

Doctors are not yet sure if his condition is directly linked to the injuries he suffered in the explosion in west London.

Mr Fry said the man's return to hospital was a "further example of the reckless, callous nature of these terrorists".

On Thursday night police staged a reconstruction of the events which led up to the bomb blast.

A car, similar to the one used in the attack, was driven into Ealing Broadway and parked outside the Pie4 clothing store at 2300BST.

Detectives hope to trigger the memories of anyone who saw the car, which exploded at 20 seconds past midnight, an hour after it was parked.

Dissident republican group the Real IRA has been blamed for the attack.

During the reconstruction, officers talked to people in the streets and handed out appeal posters.

Anyone with information about the bombing is urged to contact police on 0800 789321.