Tory party leader David Cameron had words of praise for the private security industry on the first anniversary of 7-7 during a constituency visit.
The MP for Witney in Oxfordshire was the guest of Grosvenor International Services (GIS), based near Oxford. GIS provides dogs trained in (among other things) explosives detection, and is working with International Consultants on Targeted Security (ICTS UK Ltd) on cargo-clearing.
Semtex search
The Conservative Party leader met guests from the security, transportation and leisure industries, education, government and law enforcement. Mr Cameron watched as dogs searched for Semtex explosives hidden on a bus at the GIS offices and training facility in west Oxfordshire. Making use of the search dogs’ sense of smell, even very small amounts of dangerous, prohibited articles can be detected, GIS report.
After watching the exercise, Mr Cameron said: “The fight against terrorism isn’t just about the police. All businesses and companies involved with security and transport, as well as local government and individual citizens, have a huge role to play.” Mr Cameron was briefed on techniques based on remote air sampling‚ that the dogs and their handlers use to detect explosives or prohibited articles at airports and cargo sites. Unlike using chemical or electronic analysis, there is no wait with canine searches. Cargo can be on its way in minutes after inspection, GIS and ICTS report. These methods, developed with scientists from the Defence Science and Technical Laboratory (Dstl) – are among security measures already approved by the Department for Transport (DfT) for use at UK airports.
ICTS reports that it is the first company to use this remote air sampling technique, called RASCO in the UK. ICTS also offers RASCargO, a commercial application for transportation and cargo security. During the day, a mobile sampling team is on standby and once a call is received, a team is despatched to the cargo area and samples are taken. On arrival at the analysis unit, dogs will process the samples within the hour, it is claimd. Results are faxed to the customer, with a declaration that the cargo has been screened by one of the DfT approved security measures.
After operational trials, the ICTS RASCO station at Manchester Airport went operational in January 2005 and a new RASCO station began operating at Heathrow in February .
What they say
Alan Bennett, ICTS‚ European Cargo Manager said: “ICTS views the development of RASCargO as part of an ongoing commitment to the aviation industry in delivering innovative solutions that provide commercial benefits to our clients. The company is enthusiastic about developing this highly successful, speedy and economical service to other airports in the UK. It is important for our company to work alongside GIS, an organisation that will not only meet our increased demands, but also meet the strict criteria laid down by the DfT. All our operational dogs and handlers have passed an extremely rigorous certification process laid down by the DfT.”
GIS reports it has reached the required certification standards and targets in support of the development of RASCargO. GIS Principal Director John Franklin-Webb said: “The effective deployment of search dogs in locating harmful materials is well established. Our search teams apply traditional search dog methods for our clients and we screen vehicles, search buildings and outside areas, whether public, private or restricted, as well as luggage and cargo. Our clients have greatly benefited in the knowledge, exacting methods and high standards used in the development of the RASCargO system. The fight against international and homegrown terrorists continues. This is now considered to be a 50-year war‚ by experts in the field. “
Visit on 7-7
On July 7 at GIS David Cameron told those attending: “I’ve been highly impressed with the professional and dedicated GIS and ICTS staff and how clearly they love the animals they are looking after and working with. It makes me proud as a Conservative Member of Parliament to see a business such as GIS in my constituency.”
