Sniffer Dogs on London Underground

The majority of us acknowledge that Sniffer dogs from time to time patrol London Underground and other Tube networks and train stations all over the UK.  Some would argue that their purpose is to detect a person in possession of drugs.  The next time you see a sniffer dog at one of these locations just keep in mind it could be an explosive detection dog and not a drugs dog. 

Following the bombings of the London Transport system on 7^th July 2005 the Department for Transport (DfT) tested options for enhanced transport security equipment for rail and London Underground networks. Sniffer dogs were used in two phases of the trials

In London, British Transport Police with sniffer dogs conducted random stop and searches under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Dogs sniffed the exterior of passengers’ luggage, followed by a manual search by BTP officers. Passengers did not have the right to refuse this sort of stop and search.

In Brighton handlers and dogs patrolled the station concourse and the dogs reacted ‘passively’, by sitting down and facing their handler if they detected any traces of explosives. Handlers and dogs also undertook an exercise that involved walking against the passenger flow at platform exits. BTP officers accompanied dogs and handlers at all times.  You can read all about the sniffer dog trials here 

Sniffer Dogs in Schools

A secondary school in Birmingham launched a pioneering scheme deploying drug sniffer dogs to randomly search pupils.

Pupils will be searched by a passively-trained sniffer dogs, which draws attention to a possible find by sitting down, while classrooms and buildings will be searched by a pro-active drugs sniffer dog - which actively alerts its handler to a find.

Although not the first school to use sniffer dogs to search for drugs they are the first to employ the private sector to provide the service.