Police get radiation detectors

Police get radiation detectors

Police are on a heightened state of alert

Police officers are being issued with radiation detection monitors in case of exposure following a terrorist attack on the UK.

The monitors are being issued to officers who complete a training programme in how to deal with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents.

A Home Office spokesman told BBC News Online that so far 2,500 officers had been issued with the monitors.

He said: "They are part of the equipment that officers are issued when they complete their training. The roll-out is ongoing."

The Home Office is also considering what other equipment should be issued to officers as the government prepares for a possible terrorist attack in the UK.

The pagers measure levels of radiation and will sound an alarm if radioactivity is detected at the scene of a terrorist attack.

They will tell officers when levels have become dangerous.

Chief superintendent Rick Naylor, of the Superintendents Association of England and Wales, told BBC News Online: "It is wise to be prepared.

"In this day and age, after 11 September, who knows what might happen.

"We need to go through this contingency and scenario planning."

Specialist training for police officers takes place at the Police National Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centre in Wiltshire.