Airport passengers back naked scanner

Manchester Airport is the new home of a full body scanner that produces naked images, and the public seem largely in favour.

The scanner will clearly show the outline of passengers’ private parts, along with breast enlargements and false limbs.

Public reaction seems to be around 60/40 in favour at the moment on the basis that the privacy controls are strictly followed.

People who do not wish to use the scanner, adopted in Terminal 2, can still opt for the traditional technique of undergoing a full body search.

Russell Craig, Head of External Communications at the airport, said: “We want to make Manchester the most attractive airport it can be for potential passengers but in order to do this, we have to listen to what they tell us. A common complaint is the process of going through security; removing coats, jackets, shoes and belts then being "patted down" by a security officer if you trigger the metal detector.”

Mr Craig understands that the trial is a controversial one and that some passengers will not wish to take part. He does however insist that the scanner has been installed purely for the benefit of the public. He added: “We were keen to see our £80m redevelopment of the terminals at Manchester virtually eliminate the biggest gripe for passengers - queues. With this complete, we're looking at a number of technologies which could help to take even more of the hassle away.”

The current security process can take anything between 30 seconds to two minutes per person depending on how well prepared passengers are upon arrival at security and whether they trigger the metal detector. Mr Craig claimed: “Imaging technology could check one person in around 15 seconds but this theory will obviously need to be tested as part of the trial.

"We've heard lots of feedback - good and bad - from people about the imaging technology. We knew it would be controversial and that's why we've been so open about the nature of it as well as making it entirely voluntary. Privacy, medical concerns and children have proved to be the areas of most concerns for people.

"We've put multiple privacy safeguards in place as part of the trial and the machine is certified for use by the Health Protection Agency, who say that 20,000 passes through one of these machines is the equivalent of one medical x-ray. Since announcing the trial, we've also decided to work with a number of specialist child protection charities to ensure that we are able to put the publics' mind at rest on this issue. Until we resolve this fully, no under 18s will participate in the trial.”

The scanner could soon be employed in all major airports across the UK. A similar trial is being embarked upon in the US but the American government insist that the scanner is an alternative to the traditional methods of security, not a replacement.