Tougher airport security promised

Scissors are among items confiscated at airports

The UK government has agreed to implement tougher security measures at airports in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 11 September last year.

Ministers have accepted "in principle" all the recommendations of a report, ordered by the Home Office and the Department and Transport, and carried out by the former Conservative minister Sir John Wheeler.

It recommends reviewing police powers at airports, better co-ordination between various agencies, and sharing "good practice" on the use of close circuit television and automatic number plate recognition systems.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling says security precautions have been stepped up in the last year, and the proposals add to the government's drive to ensure that they remain "effective and well co-ordinated".

He says the government remains vigilant "at all times", and additional protective steps will be taken "as the situation demands".