By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter

Last updated 13:07, Tuesday, 22 July 2008

Police patrolling Carlisle railway station are to get mobile x-ray equipment to prevent a terrorist attack.

Ananti-knife crime metal detector was used at Carlisle station in 1986

The technology, similar to that used in airports, would be used to check selected people and bags if officers thought it was needed – or if there was anything suspicious.

British Transport Police have been using the scanners at mainline and underground stations in London and have now decided to roll it out to other cities.

These include Carlisle and a number of other stations in the north, such as Newcastle, Durham and York.

The announcement comes three years after the 7/7 suicide bombings, which claimed 52 lives in London.

Police stressed the use of the equipment did not mean there was an increased threat at Carlisle or in the other north cities but said the threat was severe nationally.

The scanners can be set up quickly without warning so that terrorists can not plan ways to avoid them.

Superintendent Phil Trendall said: “If we use the equipment at a particular station, it doesn’t mean there is a marked threat there.

“But we know that an attack can happen without warning. Against that background, the police service is charged with doing all we can to protect the public.”

Officers aim to keep disruption to a minimum.

Supt Trendall added: “One hundred per cent airport-style screening is not possible on the rail network due the sheer volume of passengers and the delays it would create. However, we are able to screen passengers in a manner that is proportionate to the ongoing security risk and with minimal disruption to their journey.”

The equipment includes a scanner, x-ray generator and lap-top computer.

To protect the public from potentially harmful x-rays, it is usually used behind a portable scanning cabinet.

It can be dismantled and used to inspect suspect packages.