Ministers are considering using controversial passenger profiling in response to the attempted Detroit plane bombing and full body scanners will soon be operating at Heathrow.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he was looking at whether “additional targeted profiling” was needed to beef up airport security.

Passengers could be searched according to their race, ethnic background, age and gender, a decision that is likely to face opposition from civil rights groups.

Announcing a series of new security measures, Mr Johnson said passengers would face further delays as more were searched before they board planes.

As well as body scanners, which will be brought in at Heathrow by the end of this month, passengers will see more sniffer dogs.

By the end of the year all UK airports will be required to have trace equipment in place to detect explosives in the air.

In a House of Commons statement, Mr Johnson accepted no one technology would be “100% effective”.

He acknowledged there were civil liberties concerns about profiling, but said ministers also had an “overriding obligation” to protect lives.

“We are examining carefully whether additional targeted passenger profiling might help to enhance airport security,” Mr Johnson said.

“We will be considering all the issues involved, mindful of civil liberties concerns.”

Video: Body scan