Published: 8:00AM GMT 23 Nov 2009
(from the telegraph)
Police blow up sports car
A sports car which had been illegally parked near Downing Street was blown up by police.
Michael Raphel, 28, left his £18,000 red Honda Civic Type R on double yellow lines less than a quarter of a mile from Number 10.
But, fearing a potential terrorist attack, the Metropolitan Police carried out two controlled explosions after CCTV footage showed him running from the parked vehicle.
The force of the blast blew the doors off and smashed the windows, leaving the car wrecked.
Officers took the action at 10pm on November 7 - the day before a Remembrance Sunday Parade was due to take place - due to the 'sensitivity' of the area.
Mr Raphel, from Headington, Oxford, who was visiting London to celebrate a friend's birthday, said on Sunday he returned at 2am to find his burnt out car surrounded by anti-terrorism police.
He said: ''They said I had parked in a sensitive area, just around the corner from Number 10 Downing Street, and close to the Ministry of Defence.
''They explained that because I was seen running from the car, and because of the parades the next day, it had heightened their suspicions.
''When I got back to the car, the driver and passenger windows had been blown out and the bonnet and boot had come open with the force.
''We have laughed about it a bit now but I'm bit gutted to be honest.
''I know in this day and age they have to be suspicious but I didn't feel this was warranted.
''I wasn't treated badly, but they could've been a bit more tactful.
''The car was registered to me, I'm sure there are ways they could have contacted me if they had really tried to.''
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they carried out two controlled explosions on a vehicle parked in Horse Guard Avenue, Westminster at 10pm on November 7 but refused to comment further.
Mr Raphel, who owns a men's designer clothing store, said he would be seeking compensation from the police and an apology.
But a spokesman for insurance price comparison website confused.com said it is unlikely he will receive a payout for his car as he parked illegally.
