Government sets up decontamination service

The government has set up a designated body to co-ordinate and advise agencies and firms on the best practice to tackle the possibility of a dirty bomb attack.

The Government Decontamination Service (DCS) is to set-up a permanent office of around 25 staff in the next few months, according to Haroona Franklin, the DCS's head of contracts and resources.

Franklin told representatives of the insurance industry: “Our role is to advise and guide. We will be testing suppliers, planning and having regular exercises. Our role is not to take responsibility and we are concerned with buildings not humans.”