Kromek supports UK government call for urgent review of airport security

Sedgefield, Co Durham, 1 Jan 2010 - Kromek Limited, formerly Durham Scientific Crystals, a principal manufacturer of high end liquid detection systems for airports, strongly supports the timely and prudent review of UK airport security procedures ordered by the government and stands ready to assist in ensuring air travel remains safe.

Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek states: "The security systems and processes at airports around the World are constantly being challenged by determined terrorist groups and the threats of today are not the same as the threats of yesterday. The government and the travelling public need to act together to recognise that this constantly evolving threat requires a constantly evolving security strategy".

The urgent review has been prompted by an attempt to destroy a Northwest Airlines Airbus A330 on approach to Detroit Metro Airport on Christmas Day. A known terrorist with alleged links to al-Qaeda attempted to detonate an explosive device containing Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) and an unknown liquid which is thought to be an accelerant of some type. The individual concerned is understood to have carried the device, concealed in his underwear, through airport security checks in Lagos, Nigeria and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Kromek shares the concern of government and the aviation industry that in attempting to carry out this attack, the terrorist organization concerned successfully penetrated the system with an explosive device that is difficult to detect with conventional security systems deployed at airports. The company therefore encourages the government backed review board to examine all aspects of the case and recommend urgent deployment of liquid screening systems as well as body scanning for high risk flights including those between the UK and USA.

Arnab Basu continues to say: "A review of conventional security screening for all flights, involving a range of complementary systems and new technologies is absolutely correct. It is vital that aviation security is ahead of the terrorist and not just playing catch-up with the threats".

Kromek offers a range of robust liquid detection systems, which are complementary to the full body scanning systems, for immediate deployment to airports including its Bottle Scanner product. This device has undergone field trials at Newcastle Airport and is currently being assessed by other UK and International airports.

Widespread use of such highly capable devices is pending approval by the European Commission. Kromek equipment is available immediately for deployment to airports, although the Commission has delayed the deadline for widespread use in its airports pending further review and assessment to 2013. An implementation timescale that will almost certainly put it well behind many other countries.

Recent events clearly illustrate that the aviation industry and travelling public should not  wait any longer and dictate that deployment of such systems should be mandated immediately to ensure passenger safety.