Yahoo News Nuclear counter terror detection systems to be bolstered in high-tech drive
Counter-terrorism officers are to be equipped with a new fleet of high-tech nuclear and radiological detection vehicles to trace weapons-grade materials in the UK.
The Home Office is planning to buy up to 10 mobile gamma and neutron radiation detection systems to bolster its defences against them being used in a terror attack.
Ports and airports across the country already have screening systems in place to spot anyone smuggling nuclear or radiological materials into the UK as part of the Border Force’s Cyclamen monitoring system. Similar equipment was used at the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
But, the new fleet is understood to be able to carry out searches for such materials inland and be deployed with speed at key locations.
A Home Office source insisted that the threat of such materials being used in a so-called dirty bomb terror attack remained “highly unlikely”.
A procurement notice, lodged last month, states that ministers are inviting bids for between five and 10 “modern vehicle-based gamma and neutron radiation detection systems for various national security and radiological and nuclear counter-terrorism activities.”
Statistics held by the International Atomic Energy Agency shows that in 2016 there were 189 incidents of nuclear materials being discovered outside of state control. That compares to 147 such reports made to the agency five years earlier.
While those reports will include illegally trafficked materials, it will also log scrap metal contaminated with radiological materials after being broken up.
This summer, the Government published its counter-terrorism strategy, called CONTEST, in which it underlined its commitment to “refreshing” defences with new technologies to “enhance our detection and screening capabilities, for example at borders, airports and crowded places”.
The report, released following the Manchester and London terror attacks, highlighted the need for “cutting-edge” detection system that “can be flexibly deployed in a range of environments.”
The report adds: “We will deliver this through investment in modern systems, informed by the latest science and technology research and international collaboration.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This procurement activity relates to the CONTEST commitment to continue to strengthen the UK’s existing radiological and nuclear detection capabilities. It does not relate to chemical or biological materials.
“This particular activity is not in response to a specific threat. The use of radiological or nuclear materials in an attack by terrorists remains significantly less likely than a conventional or chemical attack.”
He refused to be drawn on the possible cost of the vehicles.
