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| 'Dirty bomb' police numbers rise | 'Dirty bomb' police numbers rise |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The government is increasing the number of police officers trained to deal with a chemical, biological or radiation "dirty bombs", the BBC has learned. | |
| The Home Office wants to buy 12,000 personal protection suits for officers to wear in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terror attack. | The Home Office wants to buy 12,000 personal protection suits for officers to wear in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terror attack. |
| Some 7,000 officers across the UK are currently trained to deal with an attack - about 5% of the total number. | Some 7,000 officers across the UK are currently trained to deal with an attack - about 5% of the total number. |
| The Home Office said the move was not in response to any specific threat. | The Home Office said the move was not in response to any specific threat. |
| A spokeswoman said: "The police are already equipped to deal with a chemical, radiological, biological or nuclear incident. | A spokeswoman said: "The police are already equipped to deal with a chemical, radiological, biological or nuclear incident. |
| WHAT IS A DIRTY BOMB? A crudely-made device that combines a simple explosive with radioactive materialSometimes called the "poor man's nuclear weapon" but has different impactWould wreak panic in built-up areas, see large areas sealed off and result in long-term illnesses like cancer If a dirty bomb hit London | |
| "Public safety is our top priority and that's why we are committed to ensuring that as technology advances, we will provide the most up-to-date equipment to the police. | "Public safety is our top priority and that's why we are committed to ensuring that as technology advances, we will provide the most up-to-date equipment to the police. |
| "This latest procurement is part of an ongoing process and not in response to any new or specific threat." | "This latest procurement is part of an ongoing process and not in response to any new or specific threat." |
| The Home Office said the move would mean an increase in the number of officers trained to deal with an attack, but would not say exactly how many. | The Home Office said the move would mean an increase in the number of officers trained to deal with an attack, but would not say exactly how many. |
| Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said the figure of 12,000 came from a "guess" at what kind of threat officers could face and an assessment of the cover required nationally and for each police force. | Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said the figure of 12,000 came from a "guess" at what kind of threat officers could face and an assessment of the cover required nationally and for each police force. |
| 'Strange' | |
| The contract is being advertised on the Official Journal of the European Union website and the deadline for bids was before Christmas. | The contract is being advertised on the Official Journal of the European Union website and the deadline for bids was before Christmas. |
| Attacks are simulated as part of training | |
| The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said the purchase of the suits was "part of a sensible, planned investment programme". | The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said the purchase of the suits was "part of a sensible, planned investment programme". |
| "It's significant in terms of what we need and what is being planned for," a spokesman said. | "It's significant in terms of what we need and what is being planned for," a spokesman said. |
| Conservative homeland security spokesman Patrick Mercer said he was "delighted" by the move. | Conservative homeland security spokesman Patrick Mercer said he was "delighted" by the move. |
| "It seems strange that they are doing it in December 2006 rather than October 2001," he added. | "It seems strange that they are doing it in December 2006 rather than October 2001," he added. |
| "It shows very slow appreciation by the government of what the dangers are." | "It shows very slow appreciation by the government of what the dangers are." |
| In response to Mr Mercer's comments, Mr McNulty said: "When I've got the marshalled forces of experts and the police on one hand telling me what we need in terms of preparedness, I need to listen to them. | In response to Mr Mercer's comments, Mr McNulty said: "When I've got the marshalled forces of experts and the police on one hand telling me what we need in terms of preparedness, I need to listen to them. |
| "And I thought it was a rather unnecessary, cheap shot for what's a very, very serious issue." | "And I thought it was a rather unnecessary, cheap shot for what's a very, very serious issue." |