WIREDGOV

High-tech equipment that screens freight for prohibited radiological material was inspected today by the Security Minister, Baroness Neville-Jones, on her first visit to the Port of Tilbury.

During her visit the Minister was shown how freight vehicles are scanned by passing through the large yellow ‘Cyclamen’ gates to check for the presence of nuclear and radiological materials before being allowed to enter the country.

Baroness Neville-Jones said:

"I was pleased to see first-hand how the UK Border Agency, police and Port of London Authority are working together to increase our capacity to combat terrorism.

"We need to be able to intercept anything hostile or criminal approaching our shores, whether goods or people, and Cyclamen is a key part of that work. The development of first-class border security is crucial to the safety of the public and our critical national infrastructure."

The Minister was also given a tour of key operations to protect the River Thames, including:

• meeting officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Marine Police Unit, based at Wapping Police Station, who regularly patrol the Thames;

• touring the Port of London Authority Control Centre at Gravesend, which is responsible for vessels navigating the tidal section of the Thames; and

• meeting the crew of one of the UK Border Agency’s cutter vessels –  one of a five-strong fleet that patrols the coastal waters of Britain.

Cyclamen plays an important role in identifying the illicit importation of nuclear and radiological materials that could be used in a terrorist device. As well as fixed equipment at key points of entry to the UK like Tilbury, the Cyclamen programme also incorporates mobile units which can respond to specific risks at any location. Handheld devices are also used for further searches once a detection has been made.

The equipment is designed to detect illicit radioactive material, but it also detects legitimate movements of radiation emitting materials, such as medical isotopes and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMS) like ceramics, cement and fertiliser. Once examination has confirmed a legitimate explanation for the cargo, it is allowed to proceed.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Tilbury is one of the busiest ports in the UK and handling almost 635,000 containers a year and lorry freight from ferries. Cyclamen is just one example of the work that is going on at Tilbury to protect the UK, not only from the threat of terrorism, but also to prevent the illegal entry of people and prohibited goods. The UK Border Agency control the movement of goods and people with the latest technology such as HGV x-ray scanners as well as three detector dogs to identify concealed shipments of drugs or tobacco.

2. The UK Border Agency Maritime Division comprises a fleet of five vessels, known as cutters, that patrol UK waters 365 days a year. They detect prohibited and restricted goods and identify immigration crime and fiscal fraud by boarding and searching all types of vessels and taking part in multi agency maritime operations in both UK and international waters.