Detectives raid Leeds flat over 7/7 attacks

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - Counter-terrorism detectives raided a flat in Leeds on Wednesday as part of the continuing investigation into the July 7, 2005 suicide bomb attacks on London.

Police said the action was to determine whether there were any links between the one-bedroom property in the Harehills area and the four men who killed 52 commuters in the London bombings.

Three of the bombers: Mohammed Sidique Khan; Shehzad Tanweer and Hasib Hussain came from the Beeston area of Leeds, which was also the location for the men's bomb factory.

"While it is more than three years since the attacks, this remains a painstaking investigation and as we have previously said we are determined to identify anyone else who knew what was being planned," said John McDowall, head of London police's Counter Terrorism Command.

"As a result of our inquiries, we are carrying out an extensive search of the flat to determine whether there are any links to the people responsible for the 7/7 attacks."

The raid took place at around 7 a.m. and a few hours later boards were erected around the property. Police said the search at the property was likely to take several days.

There have been no arrests and the flat's current owner is not being linked to the investigation.

Detectives said they were also renewing appeals for any information from the local community that could prove useful in their investigation and were planning to carry out house to house inquiries.