UK orders 12,000 'dirty bomb' protection suits for police
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Dec 29, IRNA
UK Terror-Protection Suits
The Home Office is buying 12,000 new personal protection suits for police to wear in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terror attack, the government confirmed Friday.
But the Home Office insisted the move, which increases the number of officers trained to 'dirty bombs' from some 7,000, was not in response to any specific threat.
"Public safety is our top priority and that's why we are committed to ensuring that as technology advances, we will provide the most up-to-date equipment to the police," a spokeswoman said.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty suggested that the figure of 12,000 came from a "guess" at what kind of threat officers could face and an assessment of the cover required nationally and for each police force.
The new protective gear will replace existing suits, which currently are available to about 5 per cent of the total number of police officers.
The move was welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), which said the purchase of the suits was "part of a sensible, planned investment programme."
It was revealed on Thursday that four quick-reaction alert Tornado F3 fighters are on permanent standby ready to be scrambled in the event of a terror alert in national airspace.
In November, head of MI5 security services, Dame Eliza Manning- Buller, warned that there were at least 30 active terrorist plots to attack Britain without giving further details.
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