§ Miss Anne McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the increased level of policing at UK airports; and whether the airports will meet the full cost of the additional policing. [98653]
§ Mr. JamiesonAs my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Department explained in his statement to the House on 13 February, an enhanced level of security was put in place in London on 11 February, this being most visible at Heathrow Airport. This was in response to a heightening of the threat to the UK from international terrorism.
The increase in policing at Heathrow and at other UK airports has been part of the response to this threat. The appropriate level of the additional policing is a matter for the operational judgement of Chief Officers of Police, in consultation as necessary. Where an airport has been designated under s26(3) of the Aviation Security Act 1982 policing costs are met by airport operators.
Since September 11, police forces have been able to bid for additional funding for various counter terrorist activities, including the protection of vulnerable sites such as airports. Given the nature of the funding, publicity is not being given to the activities it covers or what has been allocated to individual forces.