IN triumphant mood during a press conference, the Metropolitan Police revealed the extent of the arms and explosives finds in London, describing the equipment as virtually "ready for use" for operations comparable to the Manchester and Canary Wharf bombings.
Ten tonnes of explosives were discovered in the early morning raid at an industrial unit in Wood Green, north London. The "degree of preparation and the nature and paraphernalia of the equipment" indicated, the police believe, that the purpose was to cause "grave loss of life, economic impact and massive damage".
Also found at the unit were 2 lb of Semtex explosives, three Kalashnikov rifles, two hand guns, and "an array" of bomb making equipment thought to include at least two devices which the Assistant Metropolitan Commissioner, Mr David Veness, described as "under car booby, traps".
Mr Veness said the booby trap devices were "classic PIRA engineering products". The raid also yielded 13 timer power units.
The arms and explosive making equipment were found in plastic bags and wooden boxes locked inside a walled cabinet inside the industrial unit.
Near to the two addresses which were raided in west London, anti terrorist officers also discovered two lorries and "other vehicles" which they believe were ready for use as lorry bombs in a major bombing campaign in Britain.
There is no indication from the British police that individuals may have been targeted by the cell, but from the location of the explosives finds, they believe the likeliest targets would have been in London.
Security sources are suggesting that the industrial unit could have been used as a "one stop shop" for the IRA unit to retrieve equipment to sustain them in a bombing campaign.
This may have included lorry bombings, carbomb attacks or assassinations of prominent establishment figures in Britain.