Search is on for weapons that escape the eyes

APTS ME is the region's first integrated conference and exhibition to focus exclusively on the key challenges facing port, airport and transport terminals and will be held at the Grand Hyatt.

The Concealed Weapons Workshop is an introduction to make officers aware of the threats posed by concealed weapons and how to train front-line staff to deal with breaches in security.

The workshop is run by PS5, a UK-based company with a commitment to develop new ideas, products, publications, training programmes and strategic business alliances within the law enforcement, defence and security markets, and has already achieved a powerful and sustained impact in this sphere.

PS5's Chief Executive Officer, Steve Collins, said: "Regardless of how much sophisticated electronic detection equipment your personnel have at their disposal, if they don't know what they are looking for, they won't find it. A lack of basic knowledge on weapons recognition will result in security breaches."

The half-day workshop will reveal the latest hand-carried weaponry threats, and disturbing facts on methods of use and concealment to avoid detection.

"Law enforcement agencies and security personnel are at the front-line of security in the detection of non-traditional concealed weapons," said David Wood, Managing Director, International Business Events (IBE) Ltd, organisers of APTS ME.

"There are many threatening weapons, not just guns, which can be used in a volatile situation. Totally innocent-looking items can be smuggled past airport or port security and used to threaten or harm. How to recognise and detect these items calls for expert eyes.

"Today the use of electronic security-search technology is in runaway expansion mode. From biometric sensors to electro-magnetic systems and the very latest in millimetre-wave technology for detecting any kind of concealed weapon. But training security staff on what offensive objects to look for is also vital."

Colonel Ahmed Bin Thani, Director General, for the Department of Ports & Airports Security at the Dubai Police General HQ is among the international line-up of speakers at the conference. He said: "Dubai Police are pleased to take part in this important conference and workshop. The detection of potentially dangerous weapons is an important part of our endeavours to make the transit of people to and from the UAE safe and secure."