Al-Qa'eda plans UK attacks with ambulances bought on eBay

LONDON: Terrorists are reportedly planning to use former National Health Service (NHS) ambulances and police cars bought on eBay for launching suicide bomb attacks in Britain.

The Telegraph quoted The Association of Chief Police Officers as saying that the Government must pass a law stopping the sale of such vehicles in the wake of fears that al-Qa'eda inspired extremists may use them as they have been used in Iraq and Israel.

Every year, dozens of police cars, ambulances and fire engines are sold. Some are fully marked and can be bought for as little as 1,500 pounds.

Counter-terrorism officials at the Home Office have now written to eBay, the Internet auctioneer, asking it to stop selling emergency service vehicles, equipment and uniforms. However, eBay has said it will only self-regulate if a new law is passed.

Security sources said that while there was evidence that al-Qa'eda had adopted the terrorist tactic in the Middle East, there was no specific intelligence of such a plot in Britain.