Terrorist events such as those witnessed on 11 September 2001 and the security alerts in August 2006 and subsequently the attempted attacks in Central London and the attack on Glasgow Airport in June 2007 serve to highlight the enduring threat to aviation of terrorist attack.

The UK government is responsible for determining mandatory security rules and processes for airports to deploy to counter threats to security. Since August 2006, increased demands for screening people and items have been placed on UK Airports and the attack in Glasgow heralded further recommendations around the security measures deployed in landside areas of airports.

Our job is to work with a wide range of stakeholders to implement an increasingly complex suite of security measures that protect everyone at the airport, while minimising disruption to our passengers. Airports also have an important role in keeping people safe from other forms of criminal activity, ranging from theft of high-value cargo to theft of passenger property. 

Ensuring the safety and security of passengers, staff and organisations operating at our airport is our highest priority. More than half our employees work in security at Heathrow. Their duities include:

• Searching airport staff and passengers and their hand luggage
• Securing the airport perimeter
• Providing the infrastructure for screening hold baggage
• Managing access to secure areas
• Ensuring all pass holders complete general security awareness training.

Our performance
Our plans