Airport Security: 90% Would Support Tougher Checks At UK Borders

PA/Huffington Post UK  |  Posted: 05/05/2012 10:24 Updated: 05/05/2012 10:34

Almost 90% of people would support increased security checks at borders, airports and transport hubs, according to a survey.

While 89% would back more stringent checks, 64% said such measures were vital ahead of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the London Olympics.

In addition, 77% would support the installation of body scanners and 75% would back biometric checks such as fingerprinting, the survey by information technology company Unisys found.

The survey of more than 1,000 UK adults was conducted in February - before the recent problems of long immigration queues at Heathrow Airport.

The poll also revealed that 79% would like to see enhancements in the way information is shared between governments and security services to ensure public safety during this summer.

"The UK is a world leader in aviation security," said Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association.

He went on: "UK airports are already carrying out the highest standards of security checks for passengers departing the UK, and our airports will be applying the same rigorous security checks at search areas during the Olympic period.

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Should there be tougher security checks at UK borders?

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"Airports work actively with the Government on long-term plans for the use of body scanners at UK airports, and of course there is potential for them to play a part in overall security arrangements at Olympic venues. The user experience is key and it's important to choose equipment that meets people's needs, as well as enhancing security, when using this rapidly evolving technology."

Neil Fisher, vice president of global security solutions for Unisys, said: "As planning for this summer's events hits fever pitch, we need to take into account the call from UK citizens to strengthen our security, both at points of travel and at entry into public venues.

"The need to define a holistic security strategy and integrate different agencies, technologies and sources of intelligence is vital.

"With around 120 heads of state set to visit the UK this summer, along with over a million visitors to the Olympics alone, there is a real opportunity for the UK to demonstrate how this can be delivered effectively and provide a blueprint for other countries hosting similar events."

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Almost 90% of people would support increased security checks at borders, airports and transport hubs, according to a survey. While 89% would back more stringent checks, 64% said such measures were ...
Almost 90% of people would support increased security checks at borders, airports and transport hubs, according to a survey. While 89% would back more stringent checks, 64% said such measures were ...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fozwords
Abandon hope when you post on here
01:25 PM on 05/06/2012
The majority of an AOL/Huff census may be in a majority, however posts on an earlier thread today re Jeremy Clarkson suggested taking a totally different common sense if somewhat biased in favour of British citizens approach. The vast majority supported Clarkson, one of the few sensible comments he has made.
01:25 PM on 05/06/2012
There is no easy answer to this one:
1) The majority of illegal immigrants are not asylum seekers, but people who come into the country perfectly legally on a visitors visa, often to visit friends or relatives and do not go home when their visa expires. Increased biometric testing at the border would not change this - the only way to ensure that numbers are kept to a minimum is to increase "on the ground" surveillance manpower to check papers of people already in Britain. Asylum seekers could be processed at the border, as presently happens.
2) Threat of terrorism - the attacks on New York and Washington on the 11th September 2001 did not come from international flights from the Middle East to the USA, but from domestic US flights which were hijacked by terrorists - although Middle Eastern nationals, the hijackers were resident in the USA perfectly legally for pilot training courses. They would be processed as a study visa and increased biometric testing would not have picked them up. Recent arrests for suspected terrorism at UK airports have not been foreign nationals, but UK passport holders, who have attended training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan and were returning to the UK. Being UK nationals, they would not be subjected to the same interrogation by UKBA officials. Their arrests were due to surveillance and tip-offs by local police forces.
We do need more security, but it seems the money would be better spent within our borders.
01:10 PM on 05/06/2012
Everyone who lives here or visits here should have DNA samples taken, finger prints, iris scan everything. To help on crime, some should be questioned how they afforded their travel, nice car, etc, etc.Crime should not pay and our security should be at the highest level.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fozwords
Abandon hope when you post on here
01:26 PM on 05/06/2012
Great comment.
12:46 PM on 05/06/2012
More Staff, More Desks and the introduction of proper identity cards with iris scan, finger print scan and DNA details.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fozwords
Abandon hope when you post on here
01:26 PM on 05/06/2012
Agree with the scans etc otherwise Im with Clarkson.
12:09 PM on 05/06/2012
19.6% of people dont want more security checks at the border .Either these are illegals here already or bleeding heart . I dont understand this logic.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fozwords
Abandon hope when you post on here
01:34 PM on 05/06/2012
I dont think they are against security checks et al I think they are stupified at the level of checks on Britons returning from holiday or business trips when there are thousands arriving from countries that knowingly support terrorism or are from countries that ajoin these countries, lets differentiate and concentrate on those most likely to be considered a threat and make realistic judgements on returning holidaymakers, dont let the bleeding heart liberals and the PC brigae rule the day, realism and efficiency should be our aim.
11:33 AM on 05/06/2012
I have never understood why destroying your papers once you get on a plane should entitle you to anything from the Border Control staff than the response "Tough luck. Entry refused. Get back on the plane to wherever you came from and go home and get some new ones." As it is a I fear that we will let the world and his wife in during the Olympics with cursory checks just to make sure the UK projects a "good image" to the world. I very much doubt the USA would take the same approach.
10:36 AM on 05/06/2012
l
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
wendle
10:24 AM on 05/06/2012
I travel by air a lot from one side of the world to an other. I do not mind about how long I have to wait in hold ups as long as I arrive at my destination in one piece SAFE and can be with my children and grand children and great grand children, so far i am at an age where every day is a bonus and I have at least seen them grow up and the little ones reach 0 to 10 years. Long may we be kept safe and thank you to all who keep us safe
10:08 AM on 05/06/2012
national front should have guarded the borders years ago
This comment has been removed.
10:03 AM on 05/06/2012
Thomas Jefferson once said any nation which surrenders their liberty for a little security deserve neither liberty or security.

The threat of terrorism will simply move to a new theater, if someone is willing to give their life for their cause, in this case terror, then they will find a target where can, if we increase airport security they'll hit a bus station, we increase there they hit a mall, it's terrorist 101, full body scanners and biometrics are not going to stop them if they're in the wrong place.

Much better to spend the massive sums of money we're wasting on improving intelligence agency funding and other preventative measures.
11:07 AM on 05/06/2012
Hi Andrew, that quote was by Benjamin Franklin but an equally relevant quote by Jefferson is,
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty"
Thomas Jefferson.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fozwords
Abandon hope when you post on here
01:37 PM on 05/06/2012
I tend to agree Sir, I would like to know how many potential illegals with the potential to be terrorists are apprehended through our airports as opposed to how many illegals come in through ferry ports etc..
09:35 AM on 05/06/2012
for non EU why not bring out an ETA like the USA, that way, the people can be checked before they even come to UK
09:23 AM on 05/06/2012
Lets get opf the U first and that would allow us the also get out of the stupid and left thought out HRA.
09:11 AM on 05/06/2012
I wonder how many of the 1000 people polled are frequent fliers? I travel extensively and am sorry to sa ihave more hassle returning to the UK than I get anywhere else (except the good old US of A).
Money would be better spent on intelligence, something this and previous UK Govts seem to lack.
FWIW - bringing drugs, guns, explosives, cigarettes etc into the UK is the easy bit - securing supplies overseas without drawing attention ot oneself is the hard bit.
The average traveller is not a risk and present measures are adequate. No one in thier right mind is going to vote for 2 or 3 or even 4 hour delays to enter the country.
I agree with other posters commente regarding profiling - Everyone knows who the problem groups are.
I would also agree that the subject should be the 99.99% of the indgenous population want a curb on immigration.
10:54 AM on 05/06/2012
Do you not think they should check the manifest and be more selective by targeting suspects rather than everybody. Maybe this is not being politically correct or maybe contrary to Human Rights!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fozwords
Abandon hope when you post on here
01:40 PM on 05/06/2012
When it comes to security I think the human rights of potential suspects come second as you suggest Sir.
08:24 AM on 05/06/2012
Why bother? The majority of brainless idiots in the UK are ready to re-elect Labour
09:07 AM on 05/06/2012
Good point.......they just don't want to face reality.
10:56 AM on 05/06/2012
Right on but the Posh Boys need to get back to reality and comedown from their closets.
04:19 AM on 05/06/2012
I am astonished as to how stupid people are. They see the most basic points put in front of them and without even thinking they supprt an idea. Please explain how biometric screening and cancer-causing body scanners will improve security? Terrorism comes from within the borders of countries. The tragedies of Sept 11, July bombings in London, Istanbul bombings, Madrid bombings, etc, would have all happened despite the implementation of these biometric and body scanning tests. The current system is working, we need to invest more money in our intelligence agencies and let them do their great work behind the scenes. These plans are not only authoritarian, they are also distracting and dangerous because can force us into a false sense of security. Actually ask youself, how will biometrics increase security? These are stupid, money-wasting and dangerous plans and will only act to make airport security weaker and more susceptible to error.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jfoste3
07:06 AM on 05/06/2012
I agree with your comments many of those in America and UK that develop and manufacture security equipment are more interested in making money, some of the equipment sold does not increase security. A terrorist bent on committing a crime know how to bypass all of the security checks. Those in the security business will dupe our politicians in the belief that they are preventing an attack, that belief is utter nonsense. Some security staff are of low IQ they will search babies, women on wheel chair that perhaps 80 years of age or older. If a highly organized terrorist organization wants to commit a major attack they will attempt to have one of the terrorist gain employment at Heathrow Airport, they could shoot down an Aircraft while landing or take off at any major Airport. The merchants of Armament continue to influence American politician to increase defense budget, they get upset when there is no enemies they create one by illusion, Today the USA is on the verge of going bankrupt.
Joseph Foster, Author ‘’Seeing Red’’ ‘How America is losing the future’ Available at: http://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Red-Joseph-Foster/dp/1613468121/
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fozwords
Abandon hope when you post on here
02:16 PM on 05/06/2012
They dont, a close friend and work colleague of mine was going abroad for a few days from a Yorkshire airport, this chap has had a colostromy and some heart work, after his airport scan he was taken to a room and made to strip to his underwear to prove he wasnt carrying anything illegal or any weapons, as the scan alarmed even though he had a certified medical certificat from a premier English hospital explaining. He is a 65 year old grandfather. This is the type of thing that serves no purpose and causes embarrassment and unnecessary frustration to all concerned. It would have been obvious to any idiot that this man was an solidly English as the Queen herself, PC correctness gone mad,