Britain to use body scanners at airports

Full-body scanners will be introduced in Britain's airports in the wake of the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt of a U.S. airliner, Prime Minister Gordon Brown says.

Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. on Sunday that all airport security would be increased in Britain, and all passengers — even those only transiting through the country — will have their hand luggage screened for traces of explosives.

The suspect in the failed Northwest Airlines bombing had changed planes in The Netherlands and had gone through security but not through a full-body scanner.

Britain's main airport operator, BAA, said it has ordered full-body scanners and would introduce them as soon as possible. BAA operates Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, as well as other British airports.

Heathrow and Manchester airports have had trials using the full-body scanners.