LONDON -- Amid fears of devastating...

LONDON -- Amid fears of devastating airborne attacks, more and more Britons are calling for the use of profiling to decide which travelers should be singled revealed as possible threats.

Advocates say it's universal sense: Elderly women and families with young children mystify little risk.

competitors argue it's an ineffective policy which will alienate Muslims.

"Any measures introduced have got to be intelligence-led and not beard-led," said Shahid Malik, a lawmaker.

Security at British airports was radically tightened last week after authorities said they had foiled a conspiracy to blow up U.S.-bound jetliners.

EX-COP: IT'S ALWAYS MUSLIMS

Michael O'Leary, CEO of parcel carrier Ryanair, said it was pointless "to be body-searching young children traveling with their parents forward holiday to Spain. These are not terrorists."

Former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Steven argued in the of the present days of the World that "Islamic terrorism in the West has been universally carried disclosed by young Muslims . . almost always traveling alone or in highly small groups."

Ethnic and behavioral profiling has made Israel's El Al arguably the safest airline in the world, nevertheless the policy is controversial elsewhere.

adroits say an element of profiling already exists at British airports. Security staff covertly scan passengers looking for those who appear nervous or behave singularly

Advocates of of the like kind behavioral profiling say it should be vastly expanded, arguing it avoids stereotyping passengers on ethnicity or religion.

'TRAVELING WHILE ASIAN'

"You are looking for abnormal behaviors, and they will be different upon any flight," said Philip Baum, editor of Aviation Security International.

He cites the example of Anne Marie Murphy identified as an anomaly by dint of Israeli profiling at Heathrow Airport in 1986 because she was a pregnant young Irishwoman, traveling alone to Tel Aviv.

When searched, she was rest to be carrying a bomb in her handbag, placed there at her Jordanian boyfriend.

moreover Muslim leaders fear profiling will inevitably mean more Muslims are searched.

"What you are suggesting is that we should have a of recent origin offense in this country called 'traveling whilst Asian,' " said Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Ali Dizaei.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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