New force to protect nuclear sites

An independent police force to protect Britain's nuclear sites is to be set up amid continuing fears of a terrorist attack by Islamic extremists, it emerged today.

The force would also step up security against groups which may attempt to steal nuclear waste to create socalled "dirty bombs" - crude devices capable of causing devastation if detonated in a town or city.

The planned 600-strong Civil Nuclear Constabulary would protect Britain's seven atomic sites and guard nuclear materials when they are transported around the UK.

Many officers would be armed under the proposals which were contained in the small print of the Government's White Paper on cleaning up nuclear waste, a project which will cost £48 million.

Officers will also be banned from going on strike or joining a union.

The planned force would operate in the same way as other independent constabularies such as the British Transport Police and the Ministry of Defence police.

It would have its own chief constable and its own overarching police authority, which will be appointed by the Trade Secretary.

Ministers have continued to warn of the dangers presented by the al Qaeda terrorist network and believe that the prospect of extremists getting hold of a "dirty bomb" is a real one. They stress that they have received no specific threat.