Press Release 18 December 2007

DAVID HAMILTON MP CALLS FOR IMPROVMENTS TO SECURITY ARRANGMENTS AT AIRPORTS

Midlothian MP David Hamilton has called on the Government to make improvements to the way that our airports are policed in the UK.

Leading a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament David Hamilton urged the Government to consider using a UK wide police force for policing airports, suggesting that this could be done by expanding the remit of the British Transport Police.

Currently the uniformed police at UK airports are provided by local Police Authorities. This creates a confusing chain of command and removes vital officers from the local authorities. Mr Hamilton wants to see a specialist UK wide force patrol all airports, this would leave the local forces free to undertake community policing and provide a coherent national structure to protect airports.

Speaking after the debate Mr Hamilton said “Local Police authorities do a wonderful job protecting our airports. But I want to see the Government improve the structure that surrounds the security of our airports. It makes sense for a national police force to work with all the national agencies involved in securing the safety of our airports – this is the model we should be moving towards.”

David Hamilton will be meeting with Ministers in the Home Office to further discuss this issue in the new year.

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