Police boss fears new bomb attack

Communities are the key to defeating terrorism, says the chief

The chief constable of one of the forces investigating the London bombings believes another 7/7-style attack in the UK is "very possible".

But Colin Cramphorn, West Yorkshire Police chief, rejected calls for a public inquiry into 2005's attacks.

He said resources were better focused on preventing a further atrocity rather than investigating a previous one.

He was speaking on the first anniversary of the London bombings, carried out by four men from Yorkshire.

Asked by BBC Correspondent Mark Simpson if another similar attack was possible, he replied: "What I have to say regrettably is that it's very possible.

Mr Cramphorn urged the public to be alert but not alarmed

"The pace and depth of our counter-terrorist operations in West Yorkshire is the evidence which says that further attacks are not just fanciful, they are very possible.

"Those attacks may be local, they may be further afield in the UK or they may indeed be focused on other parts of the world."

In terms of the ongoing terrorist threat, his advice to the public was "stay alert but don't be unduly alarmed".

Mr Cramphorn, who used to be a senior officer in Northern Ireland, added: "It's not police forces or security services that defeat terrorism ultimately, it's communities.

'Fantastic assistance'

"And if we remain in a cohesive community then we can actually meet the challenge.

"In fact places like Beeston and Burley - so intimately involved in the heart of 7/7 - actually are communities which set a wonderful example for the rest of us about staying cohesive as a community."

Asked about relations between the police and the Muslim community in West Yorkshire, he said they were good but not perfect.

"We have had exceptional help on occasions from within the Muslim community. We have had some fantastic assistance on occasions," he said.