Nuclear plant police express security fears

Armed officers expected to tackle terrorists at age of 68

HEAVILY armed police officers guarding Scotland’s nuclear plants have accused the UK Government of jeopardising national security by expecting them to work until their late 60s.

The body representing the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), which has several hundred Scots-based officers at Hunterston, Torness and Dounreay nuclear sites, said its members would lack the fitness and precision to carry out their duties while continuing to work as pensioners.

It warned that officers could not fully protect the public from possible terrorist attack if they were forced to work beyond 60.

Unlike other forces, CNC officers will soon be required to continue their frontline careers until the age of 67 or 68. Routine 12-hour working days require them to be routinely armed with three weapons.

The Civil Nuclear Police Federation (CNPF) lost a High Court case last August to allow its officers to retire at the same age as colleagues in regular forces. But it has now written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon asking her to back their campaign.

In its letter, the Federation said: “It is surely inconceivable the public and other representative bodies will have confidence the civil nuclear facilities and the transportation of nuclear material can be safely protected by aggressively armed officers in their mid to late sixties.

“What makes the proposed retirement age so unrealistic is it takes no account of the following facts: the CNC’s vast majority 1250 operational officers... work four-day 12 hour shifts, are routinely armed with three weapon systems and carry 30kilos of protective gear and respiratory equipment.

“It is a medical fact that officers’ health and dexterity will decline from their late 50s. Few male officers and certainly no female officers will still pass the test at 60 plus. This clearly raises an equality issue that is also being ignored.”

The Public Service Pensions Act 2013 created an exemption for those working for a “police force” but the judge in last summer’s case said, in legal terms, the CNC officers were not “members of a police force” and there were “distinct and distinguishing differences”.

It has been reported that 130 security breaches have occurred over the past five years, including a missing gun, at the UK’s nuclear sites. Two were classed as high risk and two as medium risk.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The pensions arrangements of the Civil Nuclear Police Authority are reserved to the UK Government. We will consider Mr Dennis’ letter when it is received and will reply in due course.”

A UK Government spokesman said: “The Government is committed to maintaining British national security and the protection of its nuclear power sites and supporting those who perform this role.

“We noted the judgement of the court and continue to work with the Civil Nuclear Police Authority to put in place the required pension arrangements, within the parameters set out in legislation.”

‘‘ It is inconceivable that nuclear plants can be safely protected by aggressively armed officers in their sixties

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Rowan, the Patterdale Terrier and Jack Russell cross, disappeared in a field full of rabbit holes, sparking a frantic search by her owners and other volunteers.

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