FlyerTalk Forums

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)
-   Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues-686/)
-   -   Customs scanners in UK? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/1039166-customs-scanners-uk.html)

pacer142 Jan 13, 2010 11:14 am
Customs scanners in UK?
 
This is one about after flying rather than before flying, so please move it if it's in the wrong place :)

I have noticed recently that the Customs EU channels in UK airports (Luton for one) are being fitted with what appear to be scanner arches - a large metal arch around the bit you walk through, or sometimes two. Dover ferryport appears to have something similar that you drive through.

Does anyone know what these are and what they are for? I had a theory that they might be thermal imaging devices of some sort to detect stowaways and swine flu - or are they something else?

I'd have thought that if they were full-body X-ray machines there'd need to be some sort of notice for safety reasons?

Neil

doober Jan 13, 2010 12:23 pm
I think they are the SPO scanners:

The passive approach is used in a scanner called SPO, made by the UK company Qinetiq, which is designed to scan crowds of people. Unlike systems that produce images of near-naked bodies, SPO activates a warning light if a person walking past it appears to be concealing something on their body. The suspect individual can then be taken aside and searched. This should minimise privacy concerns, says company spokeswoman Claire Scotter.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/...e-delayed.html

pacer142 Jan 13, 2010 2:06 pm
Originally Posted by doober (Post 13174085)
Interesting idea. As they are found in the customs area, though, deciding what is concealed drugs must be fairly challenging compared with items that will genuinely be "concealed" on people walking through, i.e. wallets, keys, legitimately purchased alcoholic beverages, all the other contents of their luggage etc. Even more so, of course, for cars driving through them at Dover port.

Neil

pacer142 Jan 13, 2010 2:10 pm
Found this thread - seems they might be giant Geiger counters!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/t-995543.html

Neil


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 1:55 pm.


This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.