Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to “rip up the rules” governing the nuclear industry to fast-track so-called Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to generate affordable low-carbon electricity, boosting the economy and powering energy-intensive technology such as AI data centres.
They told The i Paper that thousands more armed officers could be required to defend these facilities – which may be located nearer towns and cities – plus the vehicles carrying their radioactive fuel.
The UK’s five existing nuclear power stations are guarded by specialist officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (Photo: CNC)
The Government hopes the first SMRs will open in less than 10 years, probably at some of the country’s eight existing nuclear sites, but the network may later expand to other locations in England and Wales.
Sampson, a former solicitor and police officer who recently served as the UK’s biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner, worries the Government is not focusing enough on security.
Lord Toby Harris, chair of the National Preparedness Committee, argued this should be a priority because reactors “will be a target for those of hostile intent.”
Armed officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary are used to patrolling remote areas like this one, where the force says they can ‘engage with community members’ (Photo: CNC)
The potential dangers to the public
The UK currently has five large nuclear power stations, all in relatively remote locations, which are ageing and need replacing. These are patrolled by specialist officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), aided by local police in any emergencies.
Sampson is concerned that new sites may have less open space surrounding them, which could hinder armed officers watching out for potential attacks and responding to incidents.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero said: “All new nuclear projects, including small modular reactors, are prevented from being built in densely populated areas.”
The nuclear industry argues it could beneficial for SMRs to be “closer to populated areas and industrial clusters.” It’s believed this lobbying may intensify as the technology develops.
Four private SMRs like this one are being planned for a Teeside site outside Middlesbrough, marked on this satellite photo by a grey circle (Images: Google Maps / Westinghouse)
The increased risks posed by uranium being transported to a greater number of different sites around the country by trucks, trains and ships are also significant.
He has been studying SMR security implications for the Alan Turing Institute, which researches data science.
What are Small Modular Reactors
Each SMR should be able to power 1 million homes, equivalent to 150 onshore wind turbines or one third of a conventional reactor, operating for 60 years or more. Small modular reactors are sometimes described as “prefab nuclear power stations.” It’s predicted that 90 per cent of their parts could be manufactured and assembled in factories, then transported to their intended sites and fitted together. A single SMR could occupy a space as small as two football pitches, according to Rolls-Royce – one tenth that of a conventional nuclear power station. For fuel, they will typically use pellets of enriched uranium dioxide encased in rods.In a paper published last year, they wrote that having a greater range of locations could create more opportunities for “sabotage or theft of nuclear material” by malicious workers.
National adversaries could also cause “enormous” disruption by spreading “bogus” rumours and reports about leaks or faulty equipment, said Sampson.
Rolls-Royce is one of four firms hoping the Government will commission their SMR designs (Photo: Rolls-Royce)
Calls for policing reforms
The CNC has previously been able to work at a limited number of remote locations, but its work could change hugely as increasing numbers of SMRs open.
“The CNC model is to provide immediate armed resistance to an incursion or physical attack, while other resources are marshalled and dispatched,” he said. “Well, where are they coming from? And how many will you need to send? And what will you do with your other blue-light responders, which will largely be the local police?”
When Lord Harris questioned the Government in Parliament in January about who will protect and police SMRs, the Energy minister Lord Hunt replied that it was “a little early to give a definitive view.”
One of the world’s first commercial SMRs is being built in the Hainan province of China (Photo: Luo Yunfei / China News Service/VCG/Getty)
The Government spokesperson said that any SMR “will need to have the highest levels of security in place.” They added that the Office for Nuclear Regulation “must approve their security plan covering physical, personnel and cyber security.”
However, a 64-page draft policy document about nuclear power, published by the Government in February, contained just two lines addressing security.
The CNC declined to comment. The National Industry Association did not respond.
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