tornado
02-07-2008, 02:17
http://www.airport-int.com/images/industrynews/Cargo%20DC10.jpgCargo aircraft pose a major security risk to the UK, according to former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens.
Stevens said "the air cargo system is vulnerable to security threats", and that there was a high risk of terrorists using cargo aircraft to stage a terror attack.
Stevens also said security at some airports is "poor", and must be strengthened in order to prevent attacks similar to the one at Glasgow Airport a year ago.
He made the comments at the launch of a report into the UK's border security entitled "Border Protection Service for the UK: Policy Proposals". Stevens was commissioned by Conservative leader David Cameron to investigate all aspects of the UK's border security, and Stevens accused the government of failing to develop a clear border security stategy.
UK Border Security
A key aspect of Stevens' report was the vulnerability of the air cargo transport network and airports to terrorist attack.
Stevens said: "The air cargo system is vulnerable to security threats including plots to place explosives aboard aircraft; illegal shipments of hazardous materials; criminal activities such as smuggling and theft; and potential hijackings and sabotage by persons with access to aircraft".
He added that the scale of private jet and light aircraft ownership at small airfields across the country added to the problems encountered by UK border security: "The growth in air travel means that it is now easier to enter the UK's airspace by light aircraft and there are many small airfields within easy flying distance of continental Europe, thereby facilitating the movement of people or illicit goods".
Last week the government's security adviser, Lord Carlile, commented that there was "real anxiety" among police chiefs that terrorist missions could be launched from small airports using privately-owned aircraft.
Terrorist Threat Level to UK
Stevens went on to warn: "There is no doubt more attacks will be attempted against the UK and those involved are again likely to travel abroad for preparation. Others may travel to the UK for the sole purpose of carrying out attacks, [and that there] is no indication that the threat level will reduce significantly [for] at least 20 to 30 years".
Stevens outlined a number of potential solutions to the issues he identified.
Where airports are concerned, he said that more formal vetting by security authorities of those using smaller airports around the UK was required, adding that there was a need for tighter "regulation of private security companies working at airports". He added that security screening measures for airport workers should be improved.
Source - Airport International's Aviation Correspondent
Recent Related News Items:
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Glasgow Airport Security Improved After Attack (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/06/30/glasgow-airports-security-improved-after-terror-attack)
Airports "Vulnerable" To Terror Attacks (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/06/27/airports-vulnerable-to-terror-attacks)
Further Resources:
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Access Control Systems (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/access-control-systems)
Air Cargo Security (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/air-cargo-security)
Airport Security Solutions (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/security-solutions)
Anti-Terrorism Products (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/antiterrorism-products)
Building Security (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/building-security)
Perimeter Security (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/perimeter-security)
Terrorist Attack Prevention (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/terrorist-attack-prevention)
More... (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/01/cargo-aircraft-present-major-security-risk)
Stevens said "the air cargo system is vulnerable to security threats", and that there was a high risk of terrorists using cargo aircraft to stage a terror attack.
Stevens also said security at some airports is "poor", and must be strengthened in order to prevent attacks similar to the one at Glasgow Airport a year ago.
He made the comments at the launch of a report into the UK's border security entitled "Border Protection Service for the UK: Policy Proposals". Stevens was commissioned by Conservative leader David Cameron to investigate all aspects of the UK's border security, and Stevens accused the government of failing to develop a clear border security stategy.
UK Border Security
A key aspect of Stevens' report was the vulnerability of the air cargo transport network and airports to terrorist attack.
Stevens said: "The air cargo system is vulnerable to security threats including plots to place explosives aboard aircraft; illegal shipments of hazardous materials; criminal activities such as smuggling and theft; and potential hijackings and sabotage by persons with access to aircraft".
He added that the scale of private jet and light aircraft ownership at small airfields across the country added to the problems encountered by UK border security: "The growth in air travel means that it is now easier to enter the UK's airspace by light aircraft and there are many small airfields within easy flying distance of continental Europe, thereby facilitating the movement of people or illicit goods".
Last week the government's security adviser, Lord Carlile, commented that there was "real anxiety" among police chiefs that terrorist missions could be launched from small airports using privately-owned aircraft.
Terrorist Threat Level to UK
Stevens went on to warn: "There is no doubt more attacks will be attempted against the UK and those involved are again likely to travel abroad for preparation. Others may travel to the UK for the sole purpose of carrying out attacks, [and that there] is no indication that the threat level will reduce significantly [for] at least 20 to 30 years".
Stevens outlined a number of potential solutions to the issues he identified.
Where airports are concerned, he said that more formal vetting by security authorities of those using smaller airports around the UK was required, adding that there was a need for tighter "regulation of private security companies working at airports". He added that security screening measures for airport workers should be improved.
Source - Airport International's Aviation Correspondent
Recent Related News Items:
Airport Security -
Glasgow Airport Security Improved After Attack (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/06/30/glasgow-airports-security-improved-after-terror-attack)
Airports "Vulnerable" To Terror Attacks (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/06/27/airports-vulnerable-to-terror-attacks)
Further Resources:
Products & Services -
Access Control Systems (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/access-control-systems)
Air Cargo Security (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/air-cargo-security)
Airport Security Solutions (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/security-solutions)
Anti-Terrorism Products (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/antiterrorism-products)
Building Security (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/building-security)
Perimeter Security (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/perimeter-security)
Terrorist Attack Prevention (http://www.airport-int.com/products-and-services/terrorist-attack-prevention)
More... (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/01/cargo-aircraft-present-major-security-risk)