Security and protection
Public protection
Discover more about how we provide advice to government and police on protecting against terrorist attacks.
Our work on protecting against terrorist attacks includes:
- evaluating and developing explosives and weapons-detection equipment
- carrying out trials of airport-style security screening equipment
- developing new methods of finding chemical and biological material
- improving equipment to make it less bulky
Port, airport and border security
We have tested most scanning equipment in UK airports to assess its effectiveness against real threats, and we play an active role in testing and developing new equipment.
Our work provides our customers with independent, objective evaluations of the many types of weapon and explosive detectors. Commercially available detection systems are tested for applications including building search, prison and airport security.
We work closely with our customers to ensure equipment meets their needs and to develop test standards and methods.
Stowaway detection
We are working with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to identify illegal migrants concealed in road-freight vehicles. We are helping UKBA assess the capability of existing devices and find new devices, and to identify and develop applicable technologies.
With over 800,000 vehicles passing through Calais each year, it is important that the technique be quick, effective and easily operated. The techniques that may be used to detect stowaways include:
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Passive imaging - A hot object will radiate in the infra-red. The intensity and peak wavelength of this radiation depends on the temperature of the object. Stowaways may be detected because they may be at a different temperature than their surroundings.
Active imaging - The vehicle can be irradiated with ionising or non-ionising radiation, which interacts differently with human tissue and non-human objects.
Scent - Stowaways will - by breathing, sweating, and other bodily excretions - change the gas balance in a vehicle in which they are concealed. Detectors include: mass spectrometers, gas chromatography, animals, carbon dioxide and oxygen probes.
- Motion - Through voluntary and involuntary motion, stowaways cause a vehicle to vibrate and this is detected with seismic sensors. This simple method is surprisingly effective, and is currently UKBA's preferred detection method. The motion of the stowaway,for example breathing or pulse, may be detected directly using radar.
We evaluate and develop equipment and techniques for detecting explosives and weapons, including chemical and biological weapons. This work supports the police, the Department for Transport and other government departments.
Explosives and weapons detection
Since the 1970s HOSDB has built a worldwide reputation for its work on detecting terrorist weapons and bombs.
We evaluate and develop equipment and techniques for detecting explosives and weapons, including chemical and biological weapons. This work supports the police, the Department for Transport and other government departments.
Search and detection equipment
We regularly evaluate new equipment designed to help with security. The results are published in the Manual of Search and Detection Equipment (known as the 'Blue Book').
This reference manual contains up-to-date information on the different types of security search equipment. It is available to Police Search Advisers, government security advisers and approved companies responsible for key parts of the national infrastructure, to assist them in planning for purchasing and support requests.
It has an international distribution. Subject to successful application, the manual is available on CD or as a hard copy. Email hosdb@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk to request a copy.
Counter-terrorism projects
We are developing new methods of finding and identifying chemical, biological radiological and nuclear material (CBRN).
Since 2005 the Police and other customers have shown increased interest in routine security screening of the type currently used only in airports. Equipment trials have taken place on the Heathrow Express and at Canary Wharf on the London Underground.
One of the key issues in places like this is the need to be able to screen much larger numbers of people quickly than in a 'standard' aviation checkpoint, but without sacrificing detection capability.
Detecting chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material
We will be examining and evaluating equipment to see which improvements to current checkpoints would enable different uses. This will include surveying brand–new technologies, some of which are not yet on the market, to see which technologies might be incorporated.
Our work on chemical and biological weapon detection involves developing new methods of finding and identifying chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material (CBRN). These include:
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ways of finding airborne material
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new sampling techniques
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methods to collect CBRN material
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making equipment less bulky both for indoors and portable devices
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low cost monitoring devices
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developing equipment to sense CBRN material remotely
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Developing equipment which will quickly identify the chemical dose someone has received so they can be treated more effectively.
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Better DNA and fingerprint techniques to help catch terrorists.
Developing defences against maritime attacks
We have been working with industry to develop a new system designed to stop terrorists or criminals in small boats without using lethal force - in the way that police can on the roads. The system works by disabling the propulsion system of a small vessel.
