Jet Threat Security Warning Issued

Security experts have said that a hasty 'knee-jerk reaction' would not prevent future attacks on planes.

The statement comes after a parcel bomb was allowed onto a freight plane at the UK's East Midlands Airport.

As pressure mounts on the Government to tighten security, the civil contingencies committee Cobra are continuing to investigate vulnerabilities in the UK aviation industry.

Security Analyst Chris Yates, Founder of Yates Consulting has called for a "properly structured review" instead of imposing immediate reactionary measures.

Commenting to Sky, he said: "We must look at new technologies and fresh ways of ensuring security.

"We have a hotch-potch of measures added on at airports, but we need to ask what we are achieving by banning liquids and asking passengers to remove shoes, belts and coats."

He continued that imposing unilateral restrictions could have a "profound impact" on the market, causing substantial economic damage.

Defending the industry's security record, the Freight Transport Association said it has always worked closely with Government agencies on potential threats.

Even though all cargo carried on passenger planes is scanned, the British Airline Pilots' Association has spoken out telling the Government to "get real". They said its members had been warned about vulnerabilities in the cargo industry for years.

However, in the latest attempt, the PETN explosive used is odourless and colourless, meaning that if carefully wrapped, it can be undetectable.

In response Mr Yates said it would be difficult to scan of all cargo, due to the nature of the items being carried.

(BMcN)