Britain launches technology fund to detect explosives in airports

Britain launched a fund Friday to support new technology in screening hand-luggage at the airports in a bid to detect concealed explosives without passengers having to remove electrical items from their bags.

The Department for Transport said three million pounds (3.9 million dollars) would be made available to support innovation in the detection of hidden explosives, as well as new methods to recognize when electrical items had been tampered with.

“We need to embrace and encourage the talent from the industry that will allow us to stay several steps ahead of those who wish us harm,” Ben Wallace, security minister said in a statement.

Britain joined the U.S. in imposing a so-called “laptop ban” on certain flights from the Middle East earlier this year, restricting passengers from carrying electronic items in their hand luggage.

The restrictions have been lifted on some flights from Turkey and Tunisia following the introduction of new security measures, but remain in place elsewhere.

The transport department said it would consider funding proposals that focused on screening at airport security areas, as well as portable technology which could be used at other points in a passenger’s journey.