New transport security to protect 'easy' terror targets

Monday, 14 November 2005 12:00 AM

Train stations are increasingly being seen as "easy" targets for terrorists and their security must be boosted, the transport secretary said today.

Addressing an international conference on transport security today, Alistair Darling outlined the government's plans to introduce airport-style passenger screening in train stations.

A trial of the new equipment will take place on the Heathrow Express platforms at Paddington station in London from the new year, he said, after which the scheme may be extended to the London underground and the rest of Britain.

"Our aim is to reduce the risk from international terrorism so that people can go about their business freely and with confidence - that includes political action as well as practical steps to prevent attacks," he said.

The bomb attacks on the London underground and in Madrid showed that "terrorists will go after what they see as easier targets", and the government was responding to that, he said.

He admitted, however, that there were "fundamental practical difficulties" with providing security on the railways in Britain, which are made up of 11,000 miles of track, 2,500 stations and carry one billion passengers a year.

"What you cannot do is seal off the system from attacks completely - short of shutting the system down," Mr Darling told delegates, explaining that a "layered" approach was needed, made up of security screening and staff training.

The pilot screening programme will see a number of randomly-chosen passengers asked to either go through an airport-style scanner system or be searched by hand, with the use of electronic devices or with a sniffer dog.

"Public vigilance will also continue to play a big part in reducing the risk of attack. Passengers need to be aware of what is going on in the vicinity around them - and be prepared to report anything out of the ordinary," Mr Darling added.

"We are in this together. We are facing a situation unprecedented in recent times. Right across the world - don't kid yourself it is just here or in the West. We face people who are prepared to kill."

The plans were welcomed by the Lib Dems, but transport spokesman Tom Brake warned against imposing too many security measures that could hold up Britain's transport system.

"The secretary of state has to strike the right balance between safety and efficiency," he said.

"Hi-tech covert measures matched by random searches could enhance passenger security. However, the blanket introduction of airport style security systems on our public transport system may create gridlock."

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