New terror alert

Security officials are examining the possibility of introducing baggage checks for mainline train stations to combat terror attacks.

Senior police and transport officials have held top level talks on measures to boost security at stations in the wake of the Madrid atrocity.

One of the key measures likely to take place is the introduction of more training for staff to spot potential terror suspects.

The new moves come as British Transport Police launched a major campaign to enlist the help of London Underground's three million passengers to spot suspicious packages.

Officials are reviewing security at all rail stations and the London Underground. However, they are resisting plans to introduce airline style baggage checks with metal detectors or X-ray scanners.

Instead, they may bring in limited checks on baggage at mainline rail stations. Police are already using covert hi-tech scanners to screen some baggage at stations.

Security and transport officials are examining the possibility of introducing similar checks to those used by Eurostar at Waterloo, though these are not considered practical for widespread use.

Security experts also point out that terrorists simply switch tactics to go for easy targets when police tighten security.

Today Scotland Yard chief Sir John Stevens admitted the terror threat to

London was real but called on people to be vigilant to help defeat the threat. Sir John, writing in the Evening Standard today, said police had succeeded in disrupting attacks that could have killed or maimed many people. He said that since 11 September police had arrested more than 500 suspects in anti-terrorist operations across the country.

A Transport Police spokesman said: "There may be limited checks that can be carried out at rail stations. But the idea of turning the mainline stations into airport-style security environments is not a runner."

Police sources say they are also being hampered by budget restrictions-which mean they could lose up to 50 police officers on train patrols this year. Meanwhile, union leaders claim safety improvements demanded for London Underground in the wake of the 11 September attacks have still

not being introduced.

Front line staff - such as train drivers and ticket barrier personnel - are not trained to cope with a full emergency, it was alleged.

Yesterday police announced that plain clothes police would be carrying out anti-terrorist patrols on the Tube.

They also announced they would be carrying out more random stop and search operations on passengers.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter of the British Transport Police, said there had been no specific threat against the capital's rail network.