'Anti-terror raids can hamper trust between police and Muslims'

London, June 6 (UNI) The new leader of Britain's biggest Muslim organisation has warned trust between police and the community could be hampered as a result of the latest anti-terror police raids.

In his first public engagement as Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Dr Muhammed Abdul Bari said people wanted to know what had taken place after Mohammed Abdul Kahar was shot in the shoulder during the operation at Lansdown Road in Forest Gate last Friday. Both he and his brother Abul Koyair were arrested on suspicion of being involved in a terrorist chemical plot. Kahar was interviewed by police for the first time last night and faces further questioning today.

Dr Bari visited residents and local businesses in the area. He said, ''The message is that of confusion, frustration and to some extent anger. People want to know what exactly happened. They want to know if the intelligence report is genuine or if it is flawed.

These are questions the police have to answer as soon as possible.'' He warned, ''Trust could be an issue. Trust could break down if things are not clarified. Angry people can do anything. They can even feel that they should take the law into their own hands. Hence anger has to be directed into positive action.'' Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman yesterday said police had ''no choice'' but to launch the anti-terror raid as they had been given ''specific intelligence'' about the address. He refused to disclose what the information was, when it had been received and its source. However, he said, ''It is very important I emphasise that the police did receive specific intelligence.'' UNI XC PR GC1657