Fiction
October 31st, 2010, 08:04 AM
Home Secretary Theresa May vows cargo security review
The home secretary said action had been taken over freight from Yemen
Home Secretary Theresa May has pledged to review air freight security after bombs were found on two cargo jets in the UK and Dubai.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the device discovered in the UK was designed to go off on the aircraft.
Mrs May said: "Certainly, we have to look at our processes of searching and how we detect these devices."
A female medical student has been arrested in Yemen on suspicion of posting the bombs bound for the US.
A spokesman for Qatar Airways said the parcel found in Dubai travelled on two separate passenger planes via the airline's hub in Doha.
'Constant battle'
Referring to the bomb uncovered in the UK, Mrs May told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "The crucial thing is we did find it and we were able to take action on it.
"What we have done is taken action in relation to future unaccompanied freight from the Yemen which would either be coming into the UK or through the UK, and banned that freight."
The home secretary said it could not be determined whether the bombers had planned to blow up the planes over the UK or US.
She said: "As I understand it, with these freight flights, sometimes the routing can change at the last minute so it is difficult for those who are planning the detonation to know exactly where the aircraft would be."
Mrs May said that terrorists were always looking at new means of attack.
"It is a constant battle for us against the terrorists, and we should be clear about that," she said.
"We're constantly looking at how we can ensure that we're improving our multi-layered approach. It's important to say yes, we have an approach which is about physical security at airports, but obviously also police work and intelligence."
'Serious issue'
The British International Freight Association said there should be a review of all aspects of air cargo following the incident at East Midlands airport on Friday.
Director general Peter Quantrill told the BBC: "The issue requires attention to look at systems and procedures - though it must be stressed that there are already well established, in depth and organised processes there.
"It was a very serious issue but it would be wrong to suggest that air freight security is not treated in the same way as passengers when it comes to security."
Lord Carlile, the government's independent reviewer of terror legislation, said it would be unfeasible to check each of the thousands of parcels that fly in and out of UK airports.
Terror hallmarks
He said: "To search every parcel is a physical impossibility. The technology is good but we can't rely on technology alone.
"We have to rely on a combination of technology and human resources and that is why the intelligence effort which has worked pretty well on this occasion is so important as part of the picture."
The woman arrested in Yemen was held at a house in the capital, Sanaa, after being traced through a phone number left with a cargo company. Her mother was also detained.
Dubai and UK officials say the bombs had the hallmarks of al-Qaeda. US media quote officials saying a Saudi-born bombmaker, Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, is their prime suspect.
The two packages were addressed to synagogues in the Chicago area. Both bombs were apparently inserted in printer cartridges.
That's pretty scary... One of those airports is about 10 minutes away from my house O.o
The home secretary said action had been taken over freight from Yemen
Home Secretary Theresa May has pledged to review air freight security after bombs were found on two cargo jets in the UK and Dubai.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the device discovered in the UK was designed to go off on the aircraft.
Mrs May said: "Certainly, we have to look at our processes of searching and how we detect these devices."
A female medical student has been arrested in Yemen on suspicion of posting the bombs bound for the US.
A spokesman for Qatar Airways said the parcel found in Dubai travelled on two separate passenger planes via the airline's hub in Doha.
'Constant battle'
Referring to the bomb uncovered in the UK, Mrs May told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "The crucial thing is we did find it and we were able to take action on it.
"What we have done is taken action in relation to future unaccompanied freight from the Yemen which would either be coming into the UK or through the UK, and banned that freight."
The home secretary said it could not be determined whether the bombers had planned to blow up the planes over the UK or US.
She said: "As I understand it, with these freight flights, sometimes the routing can change at the last minute so it is difficult for those who are planning the detonation to know exactly where the aircraft would be."
Mrs May said that terrorists were always looking at new means of attack.
"It is a constant battle for us against the terrorists, and we should be clear about that," she said.
"We're constantly looking at how we can ensure that we're improving our multi-layered approach. It's important to say yes, we have an approach which is about physical security at airports, but obviously also police work and intelligence."
'Serious issue'
The British International Freight Association said there should be a review of all aspects of air cargo following the incident at East Midlands airport on Friday.
Director general Peter Quantrill told the BBC: "The issue requires attention to look at systems and procedures - though it must be stressed that there are already well established, in depth and organised processes there.
"It was a very serious issue but it would be wrong to suggest that air freight security is not treated in the same way as passengers when it comes to security."
Lord Carlile, the government's independent reviewer of terror legislation, said it would be unfeasible to check each of the thousands of parcels that fly in and out of UK airports.
Terror hallmarks
He said: "To search every parcel is a physical impossibility. The technology is good but we can't rely on technology alone.
"We have to rely on a combination of technology and human resources and that is why the intelligence effort which has worked pretty well on this occasion is so important as part of the picture."
The woman arrested in Yemen was held at a house in the capital, Sanaa, after being traced through a phone number left with a cargo company. Her mother was also detained.
Dubai and UK officials say the bombs had the hallmarks of al-Qaeda. US media quote officials saying a Saudi-born bombmaker, Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, is their prime suspect.
The two packages were addressed to synagogues in the Chicago area. Both bombs were apparently inserted in printer cartridges.
That's pretty scary... One of those airports is about 10 minutes away from my house O.o