Terror flee plan found 'on train'

A mock terrorist exercise was held in London in September 2003

An inquiry has been launched after detailed evacuation plans in case of a terror strike in London were discovered in a "public place".

It is believed the government data on how to deal with any "large scale emergency" were found on a train.

The Metropolitan Police said the existence of such plans was already in the public domain.

But the force said it treated any possible breach of security "extremely seriously".

'Carrier bag'

The development of the 68-page dossier, entitled Operation Sassoon, has involved years of work between the Metropolitan Police and other city frontline services.

A police statement said the plan was only part of an "enormous amount of work being conducted" to ensure the force was prepared to respond to a major incident.

It added: "Evacuation using the road network is one of a number of possible transport options included within the plans."

According to the Sun newspaper the plans were found in a carrier bag on the seat of a train between London and Gravesend, Kent, by an Essex warehouse worker.

A force spokesman confirmed the plans had been found in a public place but refused to say where.

"The Metropolitan Police have launched an internal inquiry and the circumstances of how this document was left in a public place and will take the appropriate action when we have ascertained the full facts surrounding this matter," said the police spokesman.