Those responsible must have known that the TA Centre was attended by many young people

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alan Fry

Stephen found the torch while attending a TA meeting in South Africa Road, west London on 21 February 2001.

It exploded in his hands and he was blinded for life and lost his hand and lower arm.

Now aged 15, Stephen is still undergoing surgery for his injuries and has to attend a special school for the blind.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alan Fry said: "The Anti-Terrorist Branch is absolutely committed to arresting whoever is was responsible for this horrific act.

"Those responsible must have known that the TA Centre was attended by many young people.

Sophisticated device

"The device, which was packed with high explosives could quite easily have killed someone.

"It is absolutely vital that anyone with information about the incident contacts us.

"This was a sophisticated device which would have taken some time to construct.

"Was someone you know acting strangely around the time of the incident?

"Did someone show an undue interest or otherwise make you suspicious?"

He added: "We are mindful of the recent incident in Northern Ireland when a security officer was injured by a victim activated device.

"It is also possible that this was carried out by someone acting on his or her own.

"There have been no claims of responsibility to date."