Horror ‘dirty bomb’ fears raised over cost-cutting moves - ‘bad idea’

Horror ‘dirty bomb’ fears raised over cost-cutting moves - ‘bad idea’ An expert said the cuts, which it's thought could save the Treasury millions of pounds, are a 'bad idea'. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By James Knuckey 15:07, Sun, Oct 4, 2026 Updated: 15:08, Sun, Oct 4, 2026 Stock image of a person in a gas mask (Image: Getty) Cutting nuclear waste armed guards could raise the risk of a so-called dirty bomb being created, an expert has warned. Guards on some of Britain’s nuclear waste shipments could be removed under new cost-saving measure plans, according to reports. Nuclear waste is transported across the UK by road, rail and sea, with the most potent material escorted by armed guards of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) . Reports suggest the number of armed officers could be reduced following a proposal by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) that it says could save the Treasury millions. However, an expert has warned cutting down on staff numbers could increase the chances of nuclear material falling into the wrong hands. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT NATO fighter jets scrambled to huge attack as people warned 'find safe place' UK’s top radiation hotpot where kids play in stream - 'unnecessary exposure' Get exclusive defence news and analysis from our experts and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Matt Okuhara, who served with the CNC between 2006 to 2012, said he believes the cuts are a “bad idea”. Speaking to The i Paper , which broke the story, Mr Okuhara raised fears this could make it easier for someone to acquire a “dirty bomb”. He said: “The reason you’ve got to guard this stuff in the first place is because of how dangerous it is. Anyone who gets hold of this material can use it for anything they want, they can use it for a dirty bomb, they can use it for a poisoning device. That’s why you need to have a strong deterrence force around the material in transit.” A dirty bomb combines conventional explosives with radioactive material, capable of causing catastrophic damage. Under the proposed cost-saving measures, mandatory CNC escorts could be removed “where they do not provide a proportionate security benefit”. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Some escorts for nuclear waste are said to be deemed excessive. Concerns the cuts could lead to a dirty bomb come amid growing fears of rising Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks across Europe . Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Rob Jordan, from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, told The i: “Damaging a truck on a nuclear convoy, or even blocking the route of a convoy causing serious delay, could cause embarrassment to the Government rather than it causing any kind of significant risk. But we shouldn’t underestimate Russia ’s desire to destabilise through embarrassment, through a sense of the British government’s inability to do things properly.” However, he said he does not believe the cuts will necessarily raise the risk level. A CNC spokesperson warned the “consequences of failing in this area are too great”, adding: “The risk to our civil nuclear sector and to our wider critical national infrastructure is at the highest it has been for many years. We will match our protection to that threat.” An NDA spokesperson said: “Nuclear Transport Solutions uses a range of robust security measures when transporting materials by sea. This proposal would enable NTS to employ measures tailored to the specific circumstances of each shipment on a proportionate basis and in line with regulatory requirements. “Any changes to transport arrangements would be carried out in collaboration with Government and regulators without compromising on safety or security.” A Government spokesperson said: “We are reversing a legacy of no new nuclear power being delivered, to unlock a golden age of nuclear, securing thousands of skilled jobs and billions in investment, while maintaining a high standard of safety.” Defence Civil Nuclear Constabulary Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments