MATRA trialled at ports amidst lax security reports
Six UK ports are to be the subject of a new security review. The project is part of the Multi Agency Threat and Risk Assessment (MATRA), a government initiative to cut the risk of crime and terrorism in airports. It has been reported that the study was prompted by concern that despite ISPS compliance, ports lacked co-ordination and clear lines of responsibility in their security programmes.
The aim is to bring all the agencies in the port and others together to recognise and mitigate risks, and for new types of risk, to nominate a lead agency responsible for security.
This comes amidst alarming reports that security was easily breached at a number of UK ports during an exercise conducted by Hart International to check the security of key trade lanes to the US. The security consultant claimed they were able to get into operational centres and restricted areas with ease. “We used vehicles, ” reported Hart. “We walked in on foot and we came in on the back of a lorry.
We even rolled up a carpet, stuck it under one arm and went to one port’s IT centre, which housed the central server and all the essential IT functions. We knocked on the door and said we were there to fit the carpet. They said OK, come on in.”
Hart is critical of Transec (the government agency charged with ensuring transport facilities are protected from acts of violence or unlawful interference) for insisting on keeping I SPS compliance and security issues under their own control rather than hiring in security providers.
Many of the problems encountered were down to people being too casual and not being aware of procedures, Hart’s spokesman added.
Related Articles
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT