John
01-01-2010, 10:13 AM
Full body scanners are among the options being looked at, the Prime Minister said.
In an article on the Downing Street website, Mr Brown said the security review would report back in days.
It will look at ways of identifying would-be terrorists and preventing future attacks being launched against aircraft.
"We need to continually explore the most sophisticated devices capable of identifying explosives, guns, knives and other such items anywhere on the body," Mr Brown said.
"So, in co-operation with President Obama and the Americans, we will examine a range of new techniques to enhance airport security systems beyond the traditional measures, such as pat-down searches and sniffer dogs.
"These could include advancing our use of explosive trace technology, full body scanners and advanced X-ray technology."
The scanners are being considered after existing security allowed Detroit suspect Umar Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab to board a flight to the US, via Amsterdam, carrying hidden explosives.
The Dutch government responded by saying body scanners would be introduced for flights to the US from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, where Mutallab took Northwest Airlines Flight 253.
The scanners produce "naked" images and BAA, which owns six UK airports, including Heathrow, says it will await a European ruling on privacy regulations before considering a similar move.
British ministers have been accused of acting too slowly to introduce the scanners.
Meanwhile, Mr Obama has released a statement on a preliminary investigation into the Detroit incident.
He blamed "human and systemic failures" by American intelligence for failing to put Mutallab on its "no fly" list despite receiving warnings that he posed a threat.
The suspect, a former University College of London student, was later refused a UK visa after applying to attend a bogus college.
But Mr Brown pledged to work with the US and other countries to tighten controls on suspected terrorists.
"The UK has one of the toughest borders in the world and we are determined to ensure it stays that way," he said.
In an article on the Downing Street website, Mr Brown said the security review would report back in days.
It will look at ways of identifying would-be terrorists and preventing future attacks being launched against aircraft.
"We need to continually explore the most sophisticated devices capable of identifying explosives, guns, knives and other such items anywhere on the body," Mr Brown said.
"So, in co-operation with President Obama and the Americans, we will examine a range of new techniques to enhance airport security systems beyond the traditional measures, such as pat-down searches and sniffer dogs.
"These could include advancing our use of explosive trace technology, full body scanners and advanced X-ray technology."
The scanners are being considered after existing security allowed Detroit suspect Umar Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab to board a flight to the US, via Amsterdam, carrying hidden explosives.
The Dutch government responded by saying body scanners would be introduced for flights to the US from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, where Mutallab took Northwest Airlines Flight 253.
The scanners produce "naked" images and BAA, which owns six UK airports, including Heathrow, says it will await a European ruling on privacy regulations before considering a similar move.
British ministers have been accused of acting too slowly to introduce the scanners.
Meanwhile, Mr Obama has released a statement on a preliminary investigation into the Detroit incident.
He blamed "human and systemic failures" by American intelligence for failing to put Mutallab on its "no fly" list despite receiving warnings that he posed a threat.
The suspect, a former University College of London student, was later refused a UK visa after applying to attend a bogus college.
But Mr Brown pledged to work with the US and other countries to tighten controls on suspected terrorists.
"The UK has one of the toughest borders in the world and we are determined to ensure it stays that way," he said.