Brits in favour of full-body scans, survey shows

15/04/2010

By Sam Lock.

The majority of Brits are happy to use full-body scanners at airport security checks, a survey indicates.

According to a poll of 10,000 individuals by IT company Unisys, 90 per cent of people accept the technology and do not object to the 'naked' image it produces of passengers.

Furthermore, 91 per cent would also be happy to provide biometric information through fingerprints or iris scans.

The figures were higher than in any other country surveyed - over 30 per cent of respondents in Belgium and Germany objected to the scanners, while 76 per cent in Mexico were against their use at airports.

Neil Fisher, Unisys vice-president of global security solutions, said: "With airport operator BAA also reporting positive responses to the full-body scanners, it appears that the early controversy surrounding the technology has died down and people are taking a pragmatic approach to their safety."

Mr Fisher added that taking a "holistic view" of the threat of terrorism through new scanners could yield results.

The Rapiscan Secure 1000 scanner was trialled at Manchester Airport from October 2009 and has been a permanent fixture at its terminal two building since February 2010.