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03/11/2005
Security screening trial for train network
New screening techniques are to be tested on the national rail and London Underground network, to prevent further attacks similar to the July 7 bombings, the government has announced.
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said that the trials, which would include the first use of body scanners using millimetre wave technology on the UK railway network, would test how new and existing technology could be used to help prevent further terror attacks in the UK.
The trials, which will begin in the New Year, will test equipment at a small number of UK railway and London Underground locations. It will begin at the Heathrow Express platforms on Paddington station where a test will run for four weeks.
A small number of randomly chosen passengers will participate in the tests, which will involve either going through a scanner – which would enable security staff to check for objects concealed under clothing - or being searched by hand, with the use of portable trace equipment or with sniffer dogs. Bags will be passed through x-ray machines.
The government said that the trials would inform future considerations on whether the techniques could be used on a targeted basis.
Speaking to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, Mr Darling said: "Around 3 million people travel on the London Underground and well over 2 million travel on the UK railway every day. We cannot operate a closed system like we do at airports. But it is important that we reduce the risk to those passengers whilst recognising that people need to get about on the tube and railway.
"It is equally important that we take account of the benefits that new technology could provide us. It could offer security benefits and this should not be disregarded without due consideration. We have to be ready to look at whether this would help".
Mr Darling said that a decision on the future use of these technologies had yet to be taken. He said: “This equipment test is essential to ensure that future decisions are based on reliable evidence and experience".
(KMcA/SP)
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said that the trials, which would include the first use of body scanners using millimetre wave technology on the UK railway network, would test how new and existing technology could be used to help prevent further terror attacks in the UK.
The trials, which will begin in the New Year, will test equipment at a small number of UK railway and London Underground locations. It will begin at the Heathrow Express platforms on Paddington station where a test will run for four weeks.
A small number of randomly chosen passengers will participate in the tests, which will involve either going through a scanner – which would enable security staff to check for objects concealed under clothing - or being searched by hand, with the use of portable trace equipment or with sniffer dogs. Bags will be passed through x-ray machines.
The government said that the trials would inform future considerations on whether the techniques could be used on a targeted basis.
Speaking to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, Mr Darling said: "Around 3 million people travel on the London Underground and well over 2 million travel on the UK railway every day. We cannot operate a closed system like we do at airports. But it is important that we reduce the risk to those passengers whilst recognising that people need to get about on the tube and railway.
"It is equally important that we take account of the benefits that new technology could provide us. It could offer security benefits and this should not be disregarded without due consideration. We have to be ready to look at whether this would help".
Mr Darling said that a decision on the future use of these technologies had yet to be taken. He said: “This equipment test is essential to ensure that future decisions are based on reliable evidence and experience".
(KMcA/SP)
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