The Times of London reports that a suitcase full of bomb equipment has been found by police investigating the airplane bombing plot. (Hat tip: Robert O.)

A SUITCASE filled with bomb-making material has been found by police teams investigating the alleged plot to blow up aircraft over the Atlantic.

The suitcase, containing chemicals and other equipment for a home-made bomb, was found in woods in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, close to addresses at which suspects were arrested last week.

A police source said that the suitcase contained everything that would be needed to make an explosive device. This could include materials for creating an explosive, methods of concealment and a simple way of detonating the bomb. After police made arrests last week, Whitehall sources said it was feared that the explosives were to have been hidden in plastic drinks bottles and ignited using the current from an MP3 player. Details of the find have been kept secret by Scotland Yard and the suitcase is now being examined by forensic scientists and explosives experts.

A news blackout has surrounded the aftermath of the arrests last week while detectives question 23 suspects at two London police stations. The discovery was made by specialist search units, which have been scouring King’s Wood for nearly a week in search of evidence of the conspiracy. The searches are expected to continue for up to six weeks.

Police sources told The Times that the plot by Islamic extremists would have involved a version of triacetone triperoxide (TATP), which was used for the 7/7 bombings that killed 52 passengers on the London transport system last year. The plot is thought to have involved taking several liquids or a gel form of explosive on board flights with other material and then assembling a bomb in the aircraft lavatories.