Home Secretary John Reid speaks at Smiths Detection security forum

THE Home Secretary John Reid will speak at 11am today at the Security and Resilience Forum organised by Smiths Detection at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in central London.

Leading names in security, counter-terrorism, defence and the prevention of illegal trade will discuss how the nation can achieve a strong front-line of domestic defence based on advanced technologies.

Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, will be demonstrating equipment that detects explosives, chemical and biological threats, weapons and other dangerous goods. These will range from the smallest hand-held detectors to a full cargo screening system.

Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief Executive of Smiths Group plc, said: As a British company with a leading position in the broadest range of technology our motivation behind organising this Forum is to create an opportunity for a wide selection of interested parties to share experiences and outline future needs.

"Our aim is to improve on the way that together we can further contribute towards creating an environment in which people know that the utmost is being done to optimise their security, yet one that also allows them to go about their daily lives as normal."

Smiths Detection is also announcing today:

A new people screening system that detects objects hidden under clothing

New explosives detection technology

A contract with the US Department of Homeland Security to supply hand-held and backpack radiation detection and identification systems

The results of a survey of 90 of the worlds leading counter-terrorism experts

A major drugs seizure aided by Smiths Detections x-ray equipment

ENDS