VOA标准英语 Britain's Anti-Terror Chief Resigns Over Security Bl

Britain's top anti-terrorism chief has been forced to resign after he inadvertently released details of an operation that then had to be initiated¹ earlier than expected. In that operation, a dozen men in northwest England have been arrested and are being questioned over alleged² terrorism offenses³.

When Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner⁴ Bob Quick arrived at 10 Downing Street to brief the prime minister on security plans, he was photographed carrying documents in clear view that disclosed the operation in detail.

Because of this, the decision was made to move up the police action to apprehend⁵ suspects earlier than had been planned.

Students shocked as police arrest men at University
　
Police officers stand guard outside property in Cheetham Hill area of Manchester, England, where arrests were made following security blunder, 09 Apr 2009

In that unusual daylight operation, men ranging in age from teens to early 40s were rounded up in Liverpool and in two areas outside of Manchester, one to the north of the city and one to the south.

The police action at Liverpool's John Moores University was typical. Students in one of the libraries were shocked as the events unfolded.

"The first thing we knew was an announcement on the Tannoy that suggested that everyone clear their tables and get into the center of the room and keep well away from the windows," an eyewitness⁶ said. "Then next thing, everyone was looking around to see what is going on. We looked straight out the window and we saw the police with the guns and the two men with their arms behind their back."

One of the suspects was arrested. The other man was released.

Home secretary praises officers involved in swoop⁷

Despite having been forced to bring the major operation forward, Britain's top law-and-order official, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith praised the hundreds of officers involved in the major swoop.

"While the action was an operational decision for the police and the security services, the prime minister and I were kept fully⁸ up to date with developments," Smith said. "We face a serious threat from terrorism in this country and I think we are well served by the excellent work of our police and security services who help to keep us safe."

Pakistanis among those arrested

Of those in custody⁹ and being questioned, 10 are Pakistani nationals in Britain on student visas.

They are being held under Britain's anti-terrorism laws.

Police have not provided any information about why they conducted the operation other than to say they acted on intelligence received.

The government currently puts the country's perceived terror threat level at "severe." That is second highest of five ratings.

1 initiated   

n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入

参考例句：

• He has not yet been thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of computers. 他对计算机的奥秘尚未入门。
• The artist initiated the girl into the art world in France. 这个艺术家介绍这个女孩加入巴黎艺术界。

2 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

3 offenses   

n.进攻( offense的名词复数 )；（球队的）前锋；进攻方法；攻势

参考例句：

• It's wrong of you to take the child to task for such trifling offenses. 因这类小毛病责备那孩子是你的不对。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Thus, Congress cannot remove an executive official except for impeachable offenses. 因此，除非有可弹劾的行为，否则国会不能罢免行政官员。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

4 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

5 apprehend   

vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑

参考例句：

• I apprehend no worsening of the situation.我不担心局势会恶化。
• Police have not apprehended her killer.警察还未抓获谋杀她的凶手。

6 eyewitness   

n.目击者，见证人

参考例句：

• The police questioned several eyewitness to the murder.警察询问了谋杀案的几位目击者。
• He was the only eyewitness of the robbery.他是那起抢劫案的唯一目击者。

7 swoop   

n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击

参考例句：

• The plane made a swoop over the city.那架飞机突然向这座城市猛降下来。
• We decided to swoop down upon the enemy there.我们决定突袭驻在那里的敌人。

8 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

9 custody   

n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留

参考例句：

• He spent a week in custody on remand awaiting sentence.等候判决期间他被还押候审一个星期。
• He was taken into custody immediately after the robbery.抢劫案发生后，他立即被押了起来。