The 7 July 2005 London bombings led to two major inquiries examining security failings and emergency response effectiveness.

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) Report

The ISC conducted a government-backed investigation into whether British security services could have prevented the attacks. Published in May 2006, the report analyzed MI5 and police intelligence regarding the four bombers: Mohammad Sidique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, Jermaine Lindsay, and Hasib Hussain. While MI5 had monitored Khan and Tanweer due to links to extremist circles, the report concluded that their significance had been underestimated. The inquiry found that intelligence gaps, a lack of resources, and competing operational priorities hindered MI5’s ability to track the bombers more closely before the attacks. The report recommended increased funding for counterterrorism, improved intelligence-sharing, and enhanced surveillance of potential extremists.

The Coroner’s Inquests

Led by Lady Justice Hallett, the Coroner’s Inquests opened in October 2010 and concluded in May 2011, focusing on the deaths of the 52 victims, the response of emergency services, and the preparedness of public transport security. The inquests examined delays in rescue efforts, including miscommunication between police, fire, and ambulance teams. They highlighted serious flaws in the London Ambulance Service’s deployment strategy, as paramedics struggled to reach victims quickly. The inquiry called for better coordination between emergency services, improved radio communication networks, and enhanced first-aid training for transport staff. Hallett ruled that all deaths were unlawful killings, but stated that no gross negligence by emergency services had contributed to fatalities.

Key Recommendations Across Inquiries

1. Improved Intelligence Operations – MI5 needed greater funding, expanded personnel, and refined tracking methods for monitoring terror suspects.

2. Emergency Service Coordination – Better radio systems, cross-agency cooperation, and deployment protocols were required to handle mass-casualty events effectively.

3. Transport Security Measures – The inquests called for routine terrorism response drills for Underground and bus staff.

4. Public Safety Training – Enhancing first-aid awareness across emergency responders and transport employees was suggested to improve survival rates in future attacks.

   
   

Both inquiries shaped UK counterterrorism policies, leading to increased funding, revised intelligence operations, and heightened surveillance of extremist networks. They also influenced emergency preparedness reforms, ensuring improved response strategies for major incidents.