London 'is top terror target'

London is a bigger target for suicide bombers than New York or Washington, it was claimed today.

Terror analysts have put the city at the top of its danger list in western Europe - and ahead of the two main target cities in the US.

A report by the Control Risk Group found a "serious possibility" of a low-tech but devastating suicide strike.

Jake Stratton, research director for the 2004 RiskMap report, said the Muslim extremist aim had previously been "vague, undefined war against the West", but added: "In the last year Britain has reinforced its position in the eyes of the Islamic world as the major ally of the US."

The involvement of two British Islamic extremists in a suicide-bombing mission in Israel this year indicates militants are operating in the UK.

The report raised the terror risk rating for London from low to medium, while that for the rest of mainland Britain, most of Western Europe and the US remained low.

The company analyses business risks for firms based in America and the UK.