ICTS (UK) has been operational in the security sector for the past 25 years, and has now taken the decision to ‘go the extra mile’ in protecting the public and private sectors from the evils of terrorist attack and drugs misuse. Having already invested in excess of GB pound 1 million over the past few years on the introduction of various canine search capabilities for end user customers, the company has now opened a dedicated Canine Search Division at its Milton Park site in Didcot, near Abingdon in Oxford.
A state-of-the-art kennel complex and aviation cargo screening facility for the RASCargO Programme has been constructed in the grounds of the new Combined Operations, Research and Training Centre, which includes 20 individual kennels. In compliance with the Department for Transport’s stringent operating standards, additional cargo screening suites are also located at Heathrow and in Manchester.
The RASCargO technique uses specially-trained search dogs to remotely detect explosives. It was developed by the Department for Transport in collaboration with scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
The service allows end users to screen oversized and/or ‘dense’ cargo that cannot readily be checked by traditional methods. All samples are collected from freight using filters which are then presented to the dogs in a safe and controlled environment.
All ICTS-GIS traditional explosive handlers and dogs are trained at Home Office-accredited police dog training schools, and are required to attain the same Association of Chief Police Officers standards as rank-and-file police personnel working in this discipline.
Speaking to SMT about these developments, John Franklin-Webb of ICTS (pictured) commented: “For any organisation to succeed and be accepted for work at the 2012 Olympic Games, they must meet the exacting criteria laid down by the authorities, as we have done.”
Guests at the opening included Nick Gargan (assistant chief constable at Thames Valley Police)