“The rise in terrorist threat level means that complacency is not an option and proves that extensive security measures are an essential defence both for the travelling public and for potential victims on the ground”, Ashley Smith, Chairman of the BSIA's Civil Aviation Section.

TOGETHER WE CAN BEAT TERRORISTS: This may be the thinking of the BSIA when it recently stressed the need for the public sector organizations to engage with the private security, vigilance and pro-activeness within the UK transport network as the UK air and railway terror threat level was raised recently from substantial to severe, to further reduce the chances of attacks from occurring, highlighting the important role played by the industry in the fight against terrorism.

Although the terrorist threat level upgrade is seen by officials only as a preventative

measure, the new level means that terrorist attacks in the UK are considered highly likely. BSIA members of sections such as Police and Public Sector, Civil Aviation, Security Guarding and CCTV are at the forefront of the provision of effective security measures for the national transport system, and are therefore keen to co-operate with the police forces and security services to overcome this growing threat.

The announcement came just a little over two months after the plot by Yemen-based members of terrorist group Al-Quaida to smuggle explosive materials within innocuous-looking printer cartridges on US cargo planes.

Ashley Smith, Chairman of the BSIA's Civil Aviation Section, observed: "The UK terror threat is, by nature, diverse and ever-changing, with terrorist groups constantly developing new methods of attacking our country's transport network”.

Ashley said further: “The rise in terrorist threat level means that complacency is not an option and proves that extensive security measures are an essential defence both for the travelling public and for potential victims on the ground”.

“The private security industry and the Civil Aviation Section are already assisting the UK security services to counter the threat of terrorism at airports, and we urge all UK security services to continue to engage with the BSIA at all levels.

Pleading for understanding from members of the public, he averred: “Although we understand that airport security measures can sometimes be inconvenient and uncomfortable for travellers, it is important for the public to understand the crucial role they play in ensuring the safety of their journey, and therefore customer co-operation is always greatly appreciated.”