"British airport security measures to counter threat of terrorism are 'confusing'"

Friday, November 1, 2002

Airport security measures to counter threat of terrorism are 'confusing'
United Kingdom - The London Financial Times


A wide-ranging review of security at British airports has uncovered
strategic confusion at the heart of government and the airline industry,
including a lack of agreement on the role of uniformed police.

According to a report to ministers by Sir John Wheeler, the government's
counter-terrorist response in the aftermath of September 11 was
adequately co-ordinated through Cabinet Office structures.

However, it notes: "There is little room for comfort, or complacency,
over the attractiveness of a major airport for serious criminals."

The body of the report was submitted in secret to ministers on September
13 and was raised in parliament for the first time on Wednesday.

Sir John, a former minister of state in the Northern Ireland Office, was
appointed last May to consider how security arrangements could be
improved to deal with the threat from organised crime and terrorism.

He has recommended the setting-up of a new committee structure covering
ministries and agencies after finding that "confusion" existed "over
where the government focus for co-ordination and strategic direction
lies outside the Department of Transport".

The report says that while the Home Office appeared to be "heavily
focused" on counter-terrorism, it was "less obvious" that "other Home
Office policy interests are being fed into policy development".

It criticises in particular the lack of clarity as to how uniformed
police could contribute more effectively to airport security and the
"uneven" coverage provided by CCTV systems.

It suggests a lack of co-ordination involving the Special Branch, other
sections of the police and agencies such as Customs and Immigration. The
report identifies the need for a systematic overhaul of arrangements,
with a strong recommendation that police powers at airports should be
simplified and strengthened.

However, the report recognises that airport security remains a
complicated area of regulation because "there are strong commercial
interests and pressures".

The report backs away from a proposal aired by David Veness, the chief
anti-terrorist officer, for a new agency with powers over all aspects of
airport security, from baggage handling to policing.


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