Station scanners

Body scanners similar to those used in airports could be deployed across UK rail stations to reduce the risk of terrorist bombings.

It is expected armed police will be tasked to supervise the checking procedure, with authority to reduce the number of checks if queues get to long – or increase the number of people getting scanned if security threat levels increase.

The Government is planning to test the security measures at numerous stations to see the effect the scanners have on commuters and flow of people.

The first trial will be at London`s Paddington station for passengers using the Heathrow Express rail link who will have to pass through a body scanner and put their luggage through an x-ray machine.

Other stations reported to be next in line to test the scanning technology are London`s Kings Cross and Euston.