RP: Why do you think transport infrastructure presents such an attractive target for terrorists? There are softer targets that could prove more deadly and more symbolic... DS: There are several reasons why terrorists think of transport nodes as their preferred target. The first of these is the psychological impact. It stimulates the media to link any new event with past attacks in Madrid, Mumbai, Glasgow and London and has a magnifying impact on the coverage that then results. Other reasons include the difficulties the authorities have in securing major transport hubs. The flow rate of people into and out of such locations can be huge at certain times of the day. Trying to put any form of security in place would massively disrupt that flow and have significant economic repercussions. Stopping people entering places where large sporting events are occurring is a very different proposition. The people want to be there at the start and turn up early knowing they have to pass through a security cordon. In railway stations people expect to enter and be transported quickly and efficiently to their destinations.
展开▼
