A GROUP of community leaders in High Wycombe has condemned the attempted car bombings that hit Britain over the weekend.

And as the threat level looks likely to be scaled back from critical to severe, a heavier police presence was still in place across the country.

The Council for Christian Muslim Relations, based in High Wycombe, said in a statement: "The council unreservedly condemns the perpetrators of recent terrorist events in London and Glasgow Airport.

"Fortunately there was no loss of life this time.

"However, it is clear that the intent was to cause indiscriminate loss of innocent lives on a large scale.

"This kind of behaviour can only be described as evil, criminal and misguided under any religious or moral code."

The group was formed after the terror raids in High Wycombe last August, when an alleged plot to bomb trans-Atlantic flights was uncovered.

Members include prominent figures in both the Christian and Muslim community, including Reverend David Pickett and Imam Sultan Mahmood, of Totteridge Mosque.

Chauhdry Shafique, chairman of the group, said this was more than a religious body.

He said: "We want to promote cohesion between faiths, but also peaceful co-existence and cultural and social harmony."

On Friday, two unexploded car bombs were discovered in central London, and a jeep full of gas cylinders crashed into Glasgow's main airport terminal on Saturday.

Six people have been arrested over the attempted bombings so far in the UK. A seventh man is in hospital after the Glasgow incident, while an eighth man has been arrested in Brisbane, Australia.

Seven of these people are believed to be doctors or medical students, and are said to have worked in NHS hospitals. One of the suspects is believed to have been born in Aylesbury.

Sarah Clarke, press officer for Thames Valley Police, said: "Police forces across the country are continuing to work on protection and reassurance for all communities in the wake of events in London and Glasgow over the last few days."

Increased patrols are being made in London and around heavily used transport centres.