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| UK airports running 'as normal' after US terror warning | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| UK airports have said they are running as usual, amid tightening security following US warnings of a "credible threat" of terrorism. | UK airports have said they are running as usual, amid tightening security following US warnings of a "credible threat" of terrorism. |
| Heathrow and Gatwick both said they were operating "as normal". Staff at Manchester are swabbing hand luggage. | Heathrow and Gatwick both said they were operating "as normal". Staff at Manchester are swabbing hand luggage. |
| Number 10 said there was an "evolving threat" to the UK and other countries but people should travel as usual. | Number 10 said there was an "evolving threat" to the UK and other countries but people should travel as usual. |
| US officials believe Islamist terrorists are developing bombs that could evade routine checks. | US officials believe Islamist terrorists are developing bombs that could evade routine checks. |
| The US is concerned that al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria and Yemen are working together to try to design such a bomb. | The US is concerned that al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria and Yemen are working together to try to design such a bomb. |
| Meanwhile, police in Uganda have increased security in the capital Kampala following a "specific threat" of a planned attack on its main international airport. | Meanwhile, police in Uganda have increased security in the capital Kampala following a "specific threat" of a planned attack on its main international airport. |
| No delays reported | No delays reported |
| Security measures are being tightened for flights to the US from around the world. | Security measures are being tightened for flights to the US from around the world. |
| A US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official said the changes were a response to a "real time" and "credible" threat, but he could not comment on specific intelligence matters. | A US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official said the changes were a response to a "real time" and "credible" threat, but he could not comment on specific intelligence matters. |
| In a statement, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson added: "As always, we will continue to adjust security measures to promote aviation security without unnecessary disruptions to the travelling public." | In a statement, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson added: "As always, we will continue to adjust security measures to promote aviation security without unnecessary disruptions to the travelling public." |
| BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott said eight UK airports run direct flights to the US and none had so far reported security delays. | |
| UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin did not specify what security steps would be involved, but he ruled out "significant disruption" to passengers. | UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin did not specify what security steps would be involved, but he ruled out "significant disruption" to passengers. |
| The Department for Transport said it had decided to "step up some of our aviation security measures" but would not comment further. | |
| David Cameron said the government had discussed the issue with the US and decided to bring in "extra precautions". | |
| "It's very important that we always put safety first, and we do," the prime minister said. | "It's very important that we always put safety first, and we do," the prime minister said. |
| What is the security risk? | |
| Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent | |
| This new increased threat warning has been triggered by a fear amongst western intelligence agencies that some of al-Qaeda's sophisticated bomb-making expertise has proliferated out of Yemen to Syria. | |
| For the last five years jihadists in Yemen have been working on so-called "artfully-concealed devices" - hard-to-detect explosives that contain no metal and emit only a faint vapour. | |
| Three times now they have been able to smuggle these onto international flights. Only one exploded, killing the man carrying it but nobody else, after the plane landed. | |
| There is equipment in place to detect such devices at most major UK airports but it is not used on every passenger. | |
| What is alarming the US Department for Homeland Security is the possibility that jihadists with European passports are now in Syria, learning how to construct such devices before returning home. | |
| Security experts told the BBC the best defence against the type of bombs al-Qaeda is thought to be developing was a combination of body scanners and ion scanners. | |
| The former reveals concealed devices - even those hidden inside a person's body - and the latter detects the tiniest particles of explosive residue. | |
| Both are used at most major UK airports, but only on a minority of passengers, alongside more common measures including X-ray scans, pat-downs and swabs. | |
| Have you been affected by tight security when flying? You can share your experience with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Airport security' as the subject heading. | Have you been affected by tight security when flying? You can share your experience with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Airport security' as the subject heading. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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