More Britons Call for Use of Profiling in Wake of Mid-Air Terror Scare
Wednesday, August 16, 2006


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LONDON â?? As airport security tightens, checkpoint lines grow and tempers fray amid fears of devastating airborne attacks, more and more Britons are calling for the use of profiling to decide which travelers should be singled out as possible threats.

Advocates say it's common sense: elderly women and families with young children pose little risk. Opponents argue it's an ineffective policy which will alienate Muslims and â?? in the words of a senior police officer â?? create an offense of "traveling whilst Asian."

"Any measures introduced have got to be intelligence-led and not beard-led," said Shahid Malik, a lawmaker with the governing Labour Party.

Security at British airports was radically tightened last week after authorities said they had foiled a plot to blow up U.S.-bound jetliners using liquid explosives.

CountryWatch: Great Britain

In the immediate aftermath, onboard liquids and hand luggage were banned and passengers endured long delays as security staff conducted hand searches of every traveler. That requirement has been eased, but the number remains far higher than the roughly one in four passengers searched before last week.

The Department for Transport now says that for the foreseeable future, most passengers will be searched.