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Dubai airport security best in the world

DUBAI - Dubai Police say they have completed their plans to beef up security at Dubai International Airport and meet the requirements of expansion.

More than 18 million passengers used the airport last year and the number is expected to rise to 21 million by the end of 2004.

"Security standards at the airport match the best worldwide. Despite the growing number of passengers and the massive expansion that the airport is undergoing, a flexible security plan has been implemented", in both terminals, said Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Rahman Obaid Abu Al Shawareb, Head of the Security Surveillance Administration at the General Directorate of Ports and Airports Security.

He said an international award received by Dubai Police recently for airport security had come as a result of hard work and dedication and thanks to the collective efforts of all airport employees.

"The airport is currently witnessing major transformations. One of the most important development is the opening of the big main gates adjacent to the building of the General Directorate of Human Resources at Dubai Police. This gate will be for the entry of all airport employees and guests as well as for vehicles," said the police official.

He said the opening of the gate would mean tighter security control on entry and exit points, underlining that the measure would contribute to upgrading security performance at the airport.

On the security arrangement inside the airport, Lt. Col. Abdul Rahman revealed that 18 luggage inspection devices were installed at Terminal 1, besides nine interior inspection devices that were installed after the immigration area. These devices, said the official, are among the best in the world in inspection equipment, and employees have been trained to operate them.

Security personnel, said Lt. Col. Abdul Rahman, are working round the clock to ensure top security levels are maintained. He said in the first four months of the year, 119 cases were reported to police, compared to 55 in the same period of last year. They included 34 drug smuggling related cases, 22 theft cases, 13 illicit liquor cases and three pick pocketing cases.