The UK government recently announced a raft of measures to beef up security at airports, railway stations, shopping centres and sport stadiums and aimed squarely at thwarting terrorist attacks.

The measures, outlined by the prime minister, Gordon Brown, and the secretary of state for transport, Ruth Kelly, follow on from a wide ranging review of public security conducted by the security minister, Lord West, in the immediate aftermath of the June 2007 Glasgow Airport attack.

"This announcement emphasizes the fact UK infrastructure, including airports, heavy and light rail and underground mass transit systems remain high revenue targets for terrorists and underscores the pressing need to bolster the level of security afforded members of the public using such modes of transportation," comments Peter Jones, executive director, TranSec World Expo 2008.

Amongst a gamut of proposals put forward by government, those involving air security represent the sea change in policy. For the first time airports are being allowed to directly submit plans to take advantage of new technology, operational innovations, and unexploited capacity in the system.

In announcing the policy shift, secretary of state for transport, Ruth Kelly said, "This is about allowing airports to take advantage of smarter technologies and improved processes to deliver a better service to the passenger"

"The policy shift announced by the secretary of state is a welcome sign that the government is finally harnessing the knowledge and skills of those at the sharp end to deliver a step change in security at the checkpoint," adds Peter Jones "In allowing airports the ability to adopt emerging technologies, the UK is once again in the driving seat in defining the future of aviation security"

TranSec World Expo 2008 will feature the addition of a special one day conference entitled "Emerging threats - Emerging Technologies." Organized in conjunction with Yates Consulting, the conference aims to outline the potential threats facing the industry over coming years and identify counter technologies suited to deployment in airports and the wider mass transit systems.

The event is to be held at the prestigious PTA Amsterdam Centre, June 25-26, 2008.