23.07.08
Baggage staff at UK airports pose a terror risk because they do not receive criminal record checks from police and security agencies abroad, a new study has warned. Now Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has ordered that new recruits in key air side posts be properly checked before the end of the year to tackle the ‘insider threat’- but existing staff will not face the additional screening. In addition, airport staff in less sensitive positions - such as shop and restaurant workers - may also face the additional background probes.
The alarm was raised in a review of airport security by former civil servant Stephen Boys-Smith, which was ordered by Mrs Kelly last year. It follows concerns raised that, while physical security at airports and ports has been stepped up in the wake of the 2005 London suicide bombings, screening of staff had not.
At present, staff are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and undergo a counter-terrorism probe by the security services. But those recruited from overseas - or who have worked abroad - are only checked by the security services, because it is thought that foreign criminal record checks were inadequate.
However, in his report, Mr Boys-Smith warned: ‘The insider threat is varied and unpredictable. Personnel security measures must mirror this in terms of flexibility and adaptability. Terrorists will seek to exploit any gaps in security. It is important employee checks do not become its weak point.'
‘As physical and electronic security measures - the protection from external attack - have become more sophisticated, the risk that terrorists will consider the use of insiders to achieve their aims increases.’
A department for transport (Dft) spokesman said concern focused on two areas - baggage staff who screen luggage, and who are in a position to let a bomb through, or place explosives into luggage; and staff with responsibility for issuing airside passes, who could let a terrorist through.
The spokesman added: ‘The report says there is no cause for immediate concern [although why it says this, but still says that the measures are needed, makes no sense], but there is scope for improvement. We expect the industry to take rapid action.’ But she warned officials would have to overcome ‘a number of legal and practical challenges’before the new rules could be introduced.
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