Suspected terrorist attack in Exeter

Thursday, 22 May 2008 12:00 AM

A small explosive device has been detonated at the entrance of a restaurant in Exeter city centre.
One man has been taken into custody. He has been identified by police as 22-year-old Nicky Reilly from Plymouth.

Deputy chief constable Tony Melville from Devon and Cornwall Police said Mr Reilly has a history of mental illness and is a recent convert to Islam.

The man sustained slight injuries in the blast at Giraffe Restaurant in Princes Shay at about 13:00 BST.

Devon and Cornwall police say they are treating the explosion as a serious and suspicious incident, while bomb disposal experts are being deployed and nearby premises evacuated.

A spokesman explained retailers were being asked to retain their CCTV tapes to aid the police investigation.

"While police are not fully aware of the circumstances of this incident it is believed that an explosion of some sort did take place," he continued.

The force's Assistant Chief Constable Bob Spencer said: "We are carrying out a careful evacuation of the premises using the police and other emergency services that are at the scene.

"We will update the people of Exeter about what has happened as soon as we can. In the meantime I'd urge motorists to stay away from the city centre area and road delays are likely."

Tags:
• crime
,
• domestic policy
,
• policing and crime
,
• terrorism