LONDON (AFP) — Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced Wednesday plans to bolster protection of airports, stations, shopping centres and other potential targets in response to an increased terrorism threat.
He also outlined measures to prevent young Muslims being radicalised, including help to strengthen the leadership of mosques, while insisting that the government was sensitive to the Islamic communities' concerns.
Unveiling measures to lawmakers, he said more baggage checks would be needed at major railway stations and more protective barriers set up around sensitive buildings, although measures limiting hand luggage at airports will be eased.
"In the most sensitive locations, for example some large rail stations -- and whilst doing everything to avoid inconvenience to passengers -- we are planning additional screening of baggage and passenger searches," he said.
Increasing "physical protection against possible vehicle bomb attacks" was a priority, he said.
"This will include, where judged necessary, improved security at railway stations -- focusing first on those of our 250 busiest stations most at risk -- and at airport terminals, ports and over 100 sensitive installations."
Britain has been on high alert since the September 2001 attacks in the United States. In July 2005, four Islamist suicide bombers killed 52 people in an attack on the London transport system.
In June there were foiled car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow, days after Brown took over from Tony Blair.
Brown pledged to work with Muslim leaders to help prevent mosques becoming a breeding ground for extremists.
"The governance of mosques could be strengthened to help serve communities better and challenge those who fuel hate," he said, stressing "the importance of the training of imams, including English language requirements."
But he sought to reassure Muslims.
"The vast majority of people, of all faiths and backgrounds, condemn terrorists and their actions," he said.
"But the objective of Al-Qaeda and related groups is to manipulate political and humanitarian issues in order to gain support for their agenda of murder and violence -- and to deliberately maim and kill fellow human beings."
"We must not allow anyone to use terrorist activities as a means to divide us or isolate those belonging to a particular faith or community," he added.
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