TARDIS at Paddington
Operation Shield, which has been testing security scanners at underground and mainline railway stations in London, is to be rolled out across the UK.
Operation Shield, which has been testing security scanners at underground and mainline railway stations in London, is to be rolled out across the UK.
The scanners have been used to detect knives and other metal weapons concealed on passengers before they boarded trains. Since the trial was launched approximately 10,000 people have been scanned, of which 100 were arrested with nearly 70 knives being confiscated. The scanners will now be deployed in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff.
The Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling, appearing on the BBC`s Sunday AM with Andrew Marr, said: “The trial has been extremely successful. It will be extended across the country. The scanners wont be there all of the time obviously the local police have to use their judgement as to when they deploy officers and equipment but we want to make travelling by train as safe as we possibly can.”
Patrick Mercer, the Conservatives` homeland security spokesman, supported the development of this scanning technology when he stated: “We welcome any attempt to lessen crime on our transport system but the fact remains that 53 people were killed in the London bombings last year and we currently have no equipment of any sort anywhere in England that can detect explosives.”