Global Security Newswire

The United Kingdom has spent nearly $114 million on deploying radiation scanners at the nation's ports and intends to devote another $127 million in the coming two years, Crime and Security Minister Vernon Coaker said yesterday.

"Program Cyclamen" is aimed at detecting and preventing the smuggling of radioactive materials in the nation, a threat deemed last month by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to be "more realistic" than ever (see GSN, March 24).

Coaker revealed the program expenditures in reply to a lawmaker's request for information, but he refused to offer details, the Press Association reported.

"Due to the sensitivities around live operations, details about the number or locations of fixed detection equipment and mobile radiation detection units cannot be disclosed," he said (Craig Woodhouse, Press Association, April 2).