FULL-BODY scanners being trialled at Manchester Airport are to be made compulsory at all British airports in a crackdown on security following the Christmas day bomb plot.

More than 500 people have used the full body scanner at Manchester – which shows the passengers 'naked'  –  nstead of the traditional pat down since the machines were introduced six weeks ago.

Government officials will take the first step towards changing EU policy to make the scanners compulsory  at a meeting this week.

They will also look at introducing two separate body searches for all passengers, with the second check taking place at the gate just before boarding.

Gordon Brown has ordered the body scanning technology  in the wake of the alleged failed Detroit airline bomb plot by Nigerian  Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

Mr Brown said: “First of all in airports people will see gradually being brought in the use of a full body scanners.

“They will see checks for explosives traces that will be done on hand luggage. Transit passengers will also be checked as well as transfer passengers.

“We will do everything in our power to tighten up on security that is essential.

“We have recognised that there are now forms of weapon that are being used by al Qaida and we have got to respond accordingly.”

Pioneering

The £80,000 RapiScan machine, which is being trialled at Manchester airport for 12 months, allows staff to spot any hidden explosives or weapons without passengers having to undress.

Security officials in the United States have pioneered their use at New York and Los Angeles airports, and they are gradually being rolled out in other airports in the country.

Currently people who are catching a connecting flight – described as being in transit - do not have to have go through security in some countries.

But the alleged attempt by Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to try to bring down the Detroit-bound flight, has prompted a major review of airport security around the world.

A spokesman for the department of transport said officials would be raising the issue of airport scanners at the EU transport council.

He said there was no time table for their introduction but added: “We are looking at the roll out of scanners across UK.

“As part of this it remains to be seen if there will be more scanners at Manchester once all the legal and operational requirements have been completed.”

Some experts believe the type of explosive allegedly concealed under Mr Abdulmutallab's clothing would have been detected by the full body scanner currently being piloted at Manchester but critics say the technology cannot identify low density items like liquid and powder.

Airport bosses say the tide of public opinion is changing with passengers increasingly accepting of the device.
A team of researchers conducted a survey of travellers from December 21-23, with 75 per cent agreeing to go through the scanner.

But when they repeated the exercise after the failed attack, they found 92 per cent were willing to use the machine.

An airport spokesman said: “We are trialling imaging technology because we believe it could improve our passengers' experience of airport security.

“Very early indications are that the scanners are quicker than the existing security regime and that passenger acceptance levels are high before and after going through the process.

“We need more data before drawing any firm conclusions but, so far, we are pleased with the results.”
Back in November, concerns were raised that the scanner produces invasive images, with the technology able to show up breast enlargements, false limbs and piercings.

The machines also caused controversy with bosses having a re-think on allowing under-18s to undergo the check after child protection experts warned that their security workers risked breaking the law by creating
'indecent' images of juveniles.