Heathrow Express staff receive Israeli security training

Heathrow Express staff members have been trained in Israeli techniques for identifying terrorists.

Staff on the Paddington to Heathrow rail service have undergone two weeks of "behaviour pattern recognition" training, whereby they learn methods for identifying suspicious passengers.

For example, if they see a passenger running along the platform sweating, but without any luggage, that could be a cause for concern. Other actions that could arouse suspicion include clenched fists or small facial movements.

A Heathrow Express spokesman stressed that the methods simply identified certain behaviour patterns and in no way constituted "passenger profiling", which has attracted criticism because it could unfairly target Asian passengers.

Heathrow Express operator BAA is now thinking of extending the programme, which was devised by Israeli security expert Rafi Ron, to around 6,000 staff at security checkpoints across its seven airports, The Times reports.

In the wake of the alleged airline terror plot earlier this month, the presence of staff trained in these techniques will serve to reassure the travelling public.

Heathrow Express trains run every 15 minutes between Paddington station and the airport, taking around 15 minutes to reach terminals 1, 2 and 3.

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