RiskUKOctober2017

Counter-Terrorism: Security Screening Best Practice
Security screening
checks are
commonplace when
members of the public
attend events and are
now increasingly
being conducted at
high-profile buildings.
Once upon a time
those checks were
considered a
nuisance, or at best a
necessary
inconvenience, but
people now
understand the
important role they
play as a deterrent
and as part of a wider
security solution.
Jason Wakefield
examines Best
Practice procedures
Jason Wakefield: Sales
Director at Todd Research
Be Seen to Screen
Screening people and their belongings at
entry points can help reduce the likelihood
of explosive devices, weapons and other
prohibited items being brought into buildings
or on to sites. Similarly, searching personnel as
they exit can assist in reducing the risk of the
unauthorised removal of items and/or sensitive
company information.
When designing a security checkpoint, the
first port of call should be the PAS 127
guidelines. PAS 127:2014 is the first publication
of its kind to present guidance on good practice
for checkpoint security screening of people and
their belongings. Commissioned by the Home
Office’s Centre for Applied Science and
Technology, its development was facilitated by
the British Standards Institution with input
from a panel of industry experts.
The level of risk is an important factor to
consider before any implementation of
screening. Measures must be appropriate to
minimise any potential risk, but excessive
measures will result in unnecessary expense
and use of staff and space and are likely to
interfere with normal functioning of the site.
Consideration should be given to the
different groups of individuals entering the
premises. Given differing risk profiles, it may be
appropriate for some individuals to undergo
different screening regimes.
Once an assessment of risk has been made,
it’s then time to decide what equipment is
needed. Sometimes the risk can be so low that
only random bag searches are required.
However, if screening machines are demanded,
it’s important to calculate the anticipated level
of screening (eg the number of people expected
to be screened per day and the amount of time
available to clear each person).
The screening process should exert the
minimal impact possible on daily business
activities. External security consultants can be
useful in helping to calculate requirements at
this planning stage and then determine the
type of equipment required on site.
Checkpoint location
The location for the screening checkpoint is
extremely important. It should be on the
perimeter of the establishment and in an area
free from any interference that might be due to
metallic objects. An ‘Area of Declaration’ will
need to be established where pockets can be
emptied, shoes and belts taken off and
prohibited items removed.
A well-laid out, ‘obvious flow’-style queueing
system should be put into place. Once bags
and contents are placed on the x-ray conveyor,
visitors should then proceed to a search area
where the potential presence of metals or
explosives can be checked by dint of security
staff using either walk-through or specialist
trace detection equipment.
When selecting a walk-through metal
detector, a multi-zone technology detector will
increase screening efficiency and cut operating
costs. Multi-zones of detection allow the exact
location of any concealed item to be
pinpointed. As a direct result, security
personnel can immediately target the object
that served to create the alarm.
Hand-held metal detection wands should
also be used as a secondary confirmation tool
for pinpointing any positive alarms.
It’s important that x-ray and metal detection
system operators are fully-trained in the use of
the units and how to look for prohibited items.
Importantly, this training should be regularly
updated to ensure members of staff are always
aware of all new and emerging threats and
detection methods.
Finally, all procedures should be captured,
reviewed and regularly updated.
Due to increased security threats, screening
looks set to become an ever-more present
process in our everyday lives. It’s important to
keep those being screened onside and
understanding of the need. To achieve this,
screening operations must be effective and
efficient in order to minimise the impact on
people as far as possible. Initiatives such as the
PAS 127 guidelines, the continuously improving
technology that underpins screening and
detection equipment and well-trained security
personnel will be the keys to success.
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