Flu Pandemic Is The Gravest Threat To UK Security Date: Friday, August 08, 2008 Source: BBC News

A flu pandemic is the gravest threat to UK security, according to a new National Risk Register being published. The document, commissioned by the prime minister, aims to publicly set out the potential impact of a range of different risks for the first time. Other issues examined include terrorism and flooding. Think-tank Demos welcomed the register but called for more specific information about the scale and nature of the hazards. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said that while officials insist the register was not intended to rank dangers in any kind of priority, it is clear that pandemic flu emerges as the gravest threat to national security. The launch of the register, which was commissioned in March, follows the launch of the National Security Strategy, in the same month. On that occasion, the prime minister said the number of security service staff would rise to 4,000 and that there would be new moves to secure the UK against cyber-attacks. He also said there would be a 1,000-strong civilian task-force to be sent to troubled areas around the world. As part of the National Security Strategy, four regional counter-terrorism units and four regional intelligence units would be set up to help the police.  To see the full article please click on the link below. BBC News Courtesy of SecurityOracle.com - The Secury Industry's Portal