THE BOROUGH'S most senior policeman has called for calm after more than half a tonne of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, which police believe was destined to be made into an explosive to carry out a spectacular' terrorist attack, was found near to Hanwell's border with Brentford on Tuesday of this week.

Police were quick to calm fears amongst the community, and are adamant "that there is no danger to the surrounding areas", after they found the suspected bomb at Access Storage Solutions, at 145 Boston Road - near to Brentford's Boston Manor tube station, which is on the same road.

The grim discovery came as around 700 officers raided 24 homes and businesses in London, Surrey, Sussex, and the Thames Valley, using search warrants granted under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Eight men were arrested in raids on properties in Uxbridge, Ilford and Colindale in London; Crawley, Slough, Luton, Horley and Reading, and these are now all being examined by forensic scientists.

Hounslow's Borough Commander has spoken exclusively to the Times about a letter he has written to the community, in an attempt to calm the situation in the borough.

Chief SuperIntendent Harris felt it necessary to take several courses of action - he told the Times: "I am holding urgent meetings with community leaders and elected councillors to ensure that we have no misunderstandings occurring in this borough, which some would wish to take advantage of, to increase fear or inflame the situation.

"We are all aware of the close proximity of one of the world's busiest airports, together with the communications links to the Heathrow area and the need to protect the whole community."

The letter to the community is published on the letters page of the Times and has been distributed to every police station in the borough.

Ch Sup Harris says the threat from terrorism is "very serious" but adds he is more worried by "insidious groups within our community who seek to drive up those fears. We and those partners who work with us, such as the council, will do our very best to protect our community but we do need the help of the whole community. We all need to stand united against those who threaten us, whoever they may be and from whatever direction."