Officers from Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch were last night leading the search for animal rights arsonists suspected of launching firebomb attacks that caused more than ú2 million damage on the Isle of Wight.
Incendiary devices went off at four shops in two hours shortly after midnight yesterday, stretching to the limit the island's emergency services. Brian Drake, chairman of the Isle of Wight public protection committee, said: "The island, with its limited resources, was on the verge of a major disaster."
More than 100 firefighters and all the 16 appliances on the island were needed to cope with the inferno, from which 15 people were evacuated without injury. Help was summoned from the Hampshire mainland and four fire engines were ferried across to ensure essential cover.
Forensic scientists concentrated on examining a timed device accidentally found intact at a fishing tackle shop in Newport before it went off. The discovery led to an alert that failed to uncover four others.
About eight hours later they gutted a Boots store in Newport and a sports shop in Ryde. Minor damage was caused to a suede and leather shop and a cancer research charity shop in Ryde. A sixth device was found yesterday afternoon at a Halfords motorcycle and bicycle centre in Newport and the store was evacuated as Army bomb squad officers were called in.
As the anti-terrorist branch, which keeps a watching brief on animal rights activists, was called in by Hampshire police, inquiries were being made at ferry ports on the island.
Police said that they were seeking a man in his late twenties seen in the suede and leather shop. He is about 5ft 10in tall, broad-shouldered, with facial stubble and bottom front teeth in poor condition. He wore a black ski hat and black motorcycle jacket, and carried a grey shoulder-bag.
Morris Barton, Isle of Wight County Council leader, said he was unhappy that police contacted only fishing shops after the first incendiary was found at Scotties tackle shop. He said: "Most people know that anglers have been the target of animal activists and that any shop associated with animal products or animal testing is a target for animal activists.
"All the other firebombs were targeted at shops that in some way had that link. When this investigation is over I want a full explanation from the police why other shops that could be targets were not contacted. It could have saved property and jobs."
He also said that the Government needed to recognise the problems faced by the fire service on the island, where the authority had been in touch with the Home Office about ú1.2 million underfunding of the service.
Supt Alan Emmott, head of the island's police, said: "The call came in to us at 4.24pm and by the time we got officers round and assessed the situation, most shops were closing or closed.
"We did broadcast a warning through the local media, but obviously shops were closed. We did not have time on our side. We told all the shops we thought could be at risk.
"We have since alerted all shopkeepers to check their premises for any more devices." Eighteen extra detectives have been drafted in from Hampshire to form a squad of more than 30 hunting the bombers.
Robin Webb, press officer for the Animal Liberation Front, said that the attacks bore the hallmarks of the terrorist group Animal Rights Militia, which has claimed responsibility for letter bombs in the past.
Lee Copeland, a partner at Scotties tackle shop, said: "A local customer came in to buy a specialist fishing waistcoat and put it on the counter. The manager took out the packaging from the front pocket as normal and as he did so drew out a cigarette packet which turned out to contain an incendiary device with a watch set at midnight. It was completely good fortune that it was found."
Nigel Young was close to tears after watching his sports and leisure shop destroyed. He said: "The only leather products I sell are football boots and balls. Why me?"
At the nearby suede and leather shop, Brenda Keyte, co-proprietor, said: "Somebody had planted a timed device in a jacket pocket earlier in the day. It had gone off, but fortunately burned through the pocket and fallen on the floor without setting fire to anything else. Luckily our smoke alarm went off. I am very angry."
A spokesman for the fire service said: "People will ask, 'Why the Isle of Wight?' But we are an easy and confined target where a lot of damage can be done quickly."
The fire service handed leaflets to about 200 people after sheets of asbestos exploded at the rear of Boots, advising them to keep doors and windows closed. The company said that there would be no toxic effects.
