Sir, I commend the security services in an operation well done. We seem only to hear about their failures, never that these men and women work day and night to ensure we can sleep and travel safely. Yes, when they fail it is a matter of life and death, but we wouldn’t necessarily tear a strip off a doctor for a failure to save a patient, and the situation is no different. These professionals hold the lives of the nation in their hands. For security reasons we may never know who these men and women are, but my gratitude, at least, goes out to them.

My only criticism relates to our reaction to foiling the plot. What if chaos was what the intended terrorists were seeking? If they cannot do this by murdering innocent holidaymakers, then it can be done by forcing them to cancel their holiday and travel arrangements by creating the chaos that we see. My only hope is that insurance companies, airlines and holiday providers don’t make the matter worse by not refunding would-be travellers or not offering them alternatives at a later date. It would be a travesty if these companies made money out of people’s suffering.

CHRIS CARR
Southampton

Sir, Congratulations to the security services for foiling another alleged Islamic terrorist attempt to blow up aircraft.

Having heard the deathly tones of two government ministers asking for continuing vigilance and understanding, one wonders why such a draconian knee-jerk reaction was imposed now on airline passengers. Since 9/11 enormous sums have been spent on new and sophisticated security and surveillance systems in airports, particularly for hand luggage, which is now temporarily banned. It surely means that the effectiveness of the installed equipment is not up to the job, unless ministers are in possession of information that they consider too sensitive for the public to be made aware of.

PETER KLEEMAN
London SW1

Sir, The wholly disproportionate response of the authorities to a suspected increase in the terrorist threat just proves that you can inflict any amount of inconvenience and humiliation on ordinary people as long as it is in the name of security, particularly if air travel is involved.

Presumably the next step will be to insist that passengers change into orange jumpsuits, wear opaque goggles and be chained to their seats for the duration of the flight.

RICHARD HORTON
Purley, Surrey

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