New Security Proceduresat Uk Airports From Monday 14 February 2011 - Guidance For Sikhs Travelling From Uk Airports

[khalsaveer]

New security procedures at UK airports from Monday 14 February 2011 - Guidance for Sikhs travelling from UK airports:

If you or a family member wears a dastaar and is travelling from a UK airport:

i) if you are asked by security staff that they wish to search your dastaar by hand object to such a search

ii) they should use a hand held metal detector and then offer an alternative method of screening, involving touching your dastaar with a swab and undertaking a quick chemical check on the swab, insist on a clean new swab being used

iii) if you feel the security staff are acting unreasonably ask for a supervisor

Pleas email info@sikhfederation.com if you have had a negative experience since the new procedures were introduced.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

To write to your MP use the link below:

http://www.writetothem.com/

Dear [insert your MPs name]

NEW SECURITY PROCEDURES AT UK AIRPORTS RESULTING IN DISRESPECT OF THE SIKH TURBAN

On 14 February 2011 new security procedures were introduced at UK airports. These new procedures were determined by the Department for Transport (DfT) in consultation with Sikh community representatives. The dual aim was to retain respect for the Sikh turban and enhance security at airports.

The new procedures were necessary in response to European Regulation EC300/2009 issued in April 2010. In June 2010 the Secretary of State, Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond responded positively to Sikh concerns raised through many MPs and decided the Sikh turban would not be subject to a physical hand search and directed airports to use the practice of searching the turban with hand held metal detectors. [see letter at: http://www.sikhfederation.com/pdf/Sec_of_State_Letter_SFUK.tif]

In meetings held last June and July DfT officials accepted a longer term solution would be found that did not require the Sikh turban to be searched by hand. DfT officials met Sikh community representatives on 2 February 2011 to explain the new procedures involving using a swab to test the turban for substances and gave no indication that airports would not be prepared for implementation. They also gave no indication that in practice security staff would first ask to hand search turbans before offering an alternative method of screening if the person refuses.

The implementation of the new procedures has been rushed with:

a) many airports, including Heathrow, taking part in the pilot of the new procedures not having in place the necessary equipment at external control posts for Sikhs working at airports;

b) a lack of proper training for staff as some have not explained that an alternative method of screening the turban should be used and is available, which has resulted in some Sikh passengers and workers having their turbans searched by hand; and

c) security staff unable to keep two separate sets of swabs as required according to DfT officials for alternative screening - one set for wheelchairs, pushchairs, shoes etc. and the other for religious or culturally sensitive headgear as indicated by DfT officials.

Incidences have been reported throughout the week from several airports involving disrespect of the Sikh turban, some by over zealous security staff. Reports from passengers that have experienced inappropriate searches will naturally be delayed as passengers have been leaving the UK possibly returning at a later date.

DfT should explain why security staff have not been told to automatically offer turban wearing Sikhs the alternative method of screening, having recognised and accepted the feedback from the Sikh community that their turbans should not be physically searched by hand. The Secretary of State should as a matter of urgency direct airports to avoid turbans being physically searched by hand and suggest the alternative method of screening that provides a higher level of security to be used.

DfT and the airport operators should also explain why between them they introduced the new procedures without having in place the necessary equipment and training that would have avoided the Sikh turban having to be searched by hand. Where over zealous security staff do not follow appropriate procedures and abuse their powers the airport operators should confirm these staff will be subject to severe disciplinary procedures.

DfT officials also suggested at the meeting on 2 February that most if not all the larger airports where Sikhs work or Sikhs may use to fly will take part in the pilot. It was suggested only smaller airports that rarely see any Sikh passengers may choose not to take part in the pilot due to costs. DfT have confirmed only ten airports (20% by number or 70% by passenger numbers) have confirmed participation in the pilot.

DfT need to take urgent steps so large airports such as, Manchester (4th busiest with around 18 million passengers), Luton (5th busiest with around 9 million passengers), and others such as Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle, London City, Leeds Bradford and Cardiff (in total with around 22 million passengers) that will almost certainly be used by Sikhs take part in the pilot or a two tier system of security will develop.

Due to the practices being adopted by security staff, lack of training, absence of suitable screening equipment throughout airports taking part in the pilot and a two tier system in UK airports there is a danger that the Sikh community will conclude that DfT has ignored the consultations with the Sikh community and gone back on the understanding reached with Sikh representatives.

You are urged to ask the Secretary of State to temporarily stop the pilot and revert back to the hand held metal detection procedures and address the concerns raised. Please send me a copy of your letter and any reply when it is received.

The Sikh Federation (UK) a member of the Sikh Council UK with its support is planning a mass lobby of Parliament in March on this and a number of other issues that have been raised with MPs in the last few weeks.

[insert your name]

[insert your full postal address, including postcode]

Please email info@sikhfederation.com to confirm you have written to your MP.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

New security procedures at UK airports from Monday 14 February 2011 - Guidance for Sikhs travelling from UK airports:

If you or a family member wears a dastaar and is travelling from a UK airport:

i) if you are asked by security staff that they wish to search your dastaar by hand object to such a search

ii) they should use a hand held metal detector and then offer an alternative method of screening, involving touching your dastaar with a swab and undertaking a quick chemical check on the swab, insist on a clean new swab being used

iii) if you feel the security staff are acting unreasonably ask for a supervisor

Pleas email info@sikhfederation.com if you have had a negative experience since the new procedures were introduced.

Please circulate this image to Sikhs in the UK who may be travelling in the next few weeks

[VanHelsingh]

Being prodded with a karshi is degrading. Isn't there a better alternative like a scanner or something?

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Being prodded with a karshi is degrading. Isn't there a better alternative like a scanner or something?

It is a small swab (1cm square) on the end of a plastic stick. Shown larger on the image.

Full body scanners is an alternative option, but only at the limited number of airports where these are available.

[Khalasthan86]

Can we get photos on the Swab. etc?

[VanHelsingh]

It is a small swab (1cm square) on the end of a plastic stick. Shown larger on the image.

Full body scanners is an alternative option, but only at the limited number of airports where these are available.

Oh okay. It looked bigger in the picture. I suppose its a start.

I think scientifically-minded Sikhs should take the initiative and come up with an invention that would perform the same job, but with a minimum of hassle to dastar-wearing Sikhs.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

To write to your MP use the link below:

http://www.writetothem.com/

Dear [insert your MPs name]

NEW SECURITY PROCEDURES AT UK AIRPORTS RESULTING IN DISRESPECT OF THE SIKH TURBAN

On 14 February 2011 new security procedures were introduced at UK airports. These new procedures were determined by the Department for Transport (DfT) in consultation with Sikh community representatives. The dual aim was to retain respect for the Sikh turban and enhance security at airports.

The new procedures were necessary in response to European Regulation EC300/2009 issued in April 2010. In June 2010 the Secretary of State, Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond responded positively to Sikh concerns raised through many MPs and decided the Sikh turban would not be subject to a physical hand search and directed airports to use the practice of searching the turban with hand held metal detectors. [see letter at: http://www.sikhfederation.com/pdf/Sec_of_State_Letter_SFUK.tif]

In meetings held last June and July DfT officials accepted a longer term solution would be found that did not require the Sikh turban to be searched by hand. DfT officials met Sikh community representatives on 2 February 2011 to explain the new procedures involving using a swab to test the turban for substances and gave no indication that airports would not be prepared for implementation. They also gave no indication that in practice security staff would first ask to hand search turbans before offering an alternative method of screening if the person refuses.

The implementation of the new procedures has been rushed with:

a) many airports, including Heathrow, taking part in the pilot of the new procedures not having in place the necessary equipment at external control posts for Sikhs working at airports;

b) a lack of proper training for staff as some have not explained that an alternative method of screening the turban should be used and is available, which has resulted in some Sikh passengers and workers having their turbans searched by hand; and

c) security staff unable to keep two separate sets of swabs as required according to DfT officials for alternative screening - one set for wheelchairs, pushchairs, shoes etc. and the other for religious or culturally sensitive headgear as indicated by DfT officials.

Incidences have been reported throughout the week from several airports involving disrespect of the Sikh turban, some by over zealous security staff. Reports from passengers that have experienced inappropriate searches will naturally be delayed as passengers have been leaving the UK possibly returning at a later date.

DfT should explain why security staff have not been told to automatically offer turban wearing Sikhs the alternative method of screening, having recognised and accepted the feedback from the Sikh community that their turbans should not be physically searched by hand. The Secretary of State should as a matter of urgency direct airports to avoid turbans being physically searched by hand and suggest the alternative method of screening that provides a higher level of security to be used.

DfT and the airport operators should also explain why between them they introduced the new procedures without having in place the necessary equipment and training that would have avoided the Sikh turban having to be searched by hand. Where over zealous security staff do not follow appropriate procedures and abuse their powers the airport operators should confirm these staff will be subject to severe disciplinary procedures.

DfT officials also suggested at the meeting on 2 February that most if not all the larger airports where Sikhs work or Sikhs may use to fly will take part in the pilot. It was suggested only smaller airports that rarely see any Sikh passengers may choose not to take part in the pilot due to costs. DfT have confirmed only ten airports (20% by number or 70% by passenger numbers) have confirmed participation in the pilot.

DfT need to take urgent steps so large airports such as, Manchester (4th busiest with around 18 million passengers), Luton (5th busiest with around 9 million passengers), and others such as Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle, London City, Leeds Bradford and Cardiff (in total with around 22 million passengers) that will almost certainly be used by Sikhs take part in the pilot or a two tier system of security will develop.

Due to the practices being adopted by security staff, lack of training, absence of suitable screening equipment throughout airports taking part in the pilot and a two tier system in UK airports there is a danger that the Sikh community will conclude that DfT has ignored the consultations with the Sikh community and gone back on the understanding reached with Sikh representatives.

You are urged to ask the Secretary of State to temporarily stop the pilot and revert back to the hand held metal detection procedures and address the concerns raised. Please send me a copy of your letter and any reply when it is received.

The Sikh Federation (UK) a member of the Sikh Council UK with its support is planning a mass lobby of Parliament in March on this and a number of other issues that have been raised with MPs in the last few weeks.

[insert your name]

[insert your full postal address, including postcode]

Please email info@sikhfederation.com to confirm you have written to your MP.

The BBC are expected to cover the dastaar issue tomorrow. BBC News online, 5 Live, BBC WM, BBC Newcastle, BBC Asian Network etc.