Britain at 'increased' risk of nuclear attack by Al-Qaeda: Reports

London, Mar 23(ANI): Three separate UK Government reports have warned that the country faces an increased threat of a nuclear attack by Al-Qaeda terrorists.

The National Security Strategy stated that "the UK does face nuclear threats now" and there was "the possibility that nuclear weapons or nuclear material could fall into the hands of rogue states or terrorist groups".

It is feared that terrorists could transport an improvised nuclear device up the Thames and detonate it in the heart of London, The Telegraph reports.

According to reports, Bristol, Liverpool Newcastle, Glasgow and Belfast are also thought to be vulnerable.

Security Minister Lord West also raised the possibility of terrorists using boats to enter ports and launch an attack similar to that of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, which killed at least 173 people and wounded 308 others.

Another report on the Government's counter-terrorism strategy said there was a danger that the increased expertise of insurgents in making bombs in Afghanistan had increased the threat, the newspaper said.

It added that there was a "significant increase in the illicit trafficking of radiological materials, the availability of chemical, biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) related technologies over the internet", which could be acquired by terrorist organizations.

The review of Britain's ability to prevent a major terrorist attack comes ahead of an international meeting on nuclear security in Washington next month. (ANI)