A year ago armed Police and soldiers patrolled the Bermuda International Airport and cruise terminals as the Island was in the grip of terrorism fears.

And on one mad Wednesday the following month, security forces rushed around the Island dealing with six anthrax scares including those at Capital G and the Flower Shop in Reid Street, the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Bermuda Perfumery and private homes.

After the initial panic it would be tempting to think that nothing has changed.

But Acting Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Martin Law said Government had been working with security forces ever since September 11 to tighten procedures.

And he said new laws were in the works on border control and dealing with terrorism.

Although reluctant to give details Mr. Law said: “We have been working on a counter terrorism plan since September 12.

“There are a lot of things in the pipeline right now but you don't just turn a switch.”

He said Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Terry Lister had gone to the UK to meet with foreign office officials to get tips on border control.

Mr. Law said joint security exercises with the Regiment and Police had been stepped up this year.

Things have have definitely changed at the American Consulate in Devonshire.

Although there is no longer the armed Police presence in front, unarmed Police now patrol the perimeter - a new development.

The Middle Road building, subject to one hoax bomb after September 11, is having a multi-million dollar security revamp.

Work includes a nine-foot perimeter wall/fence, a vehicle barrier at the gate, hardening of the ground floor interior walls and installation of blast-proof windows.

However the upgrade had already been planned before September 11 following bombings at two African embassies four years ago.

A full-time security consultant, with experience in the Bermuda and UK Police forces, has been added to the payroll in the last six months.

US Consul Jennifer Schools said: “We are still under threat. Just because nothing has happened in the immediate past it doesn't mean it won't happen in the future.

“The terrorists are not done with us and we are not done with them.”

New security procedures costing more than $100,000 a year have been installed at the airport.

There are more security staff on the ramps and amongst the aircraft and in the terminal.

Surveillance cameras are being installed said airport General Manager James Howes, and by the end of the year every piece of checked luggage will be X-rayed.

He said this had been in the pipeline before September 11 at the request of the British government.

But the work has won approval from American authorities. Mr. Howes said: “The Transportation Security Administrations which was formed by the US government to take over security after 9/11, has been here numerous times to inspect the airport - especially because we have so many flights going to the US including to Washington Reagan's National where security is very tight.

“They have been very pleased with what they have seen.”

Mr. Howes had not arrived on the Island when last year's crisis hit and the airport took diverted planes from all over the world but he said the airport had coped well.

Improvements in efficiency mean passengers no longer have to go three hours before their flight to check in as they did in the terrorism aftermath.

Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith said September 11 had helped forge closer relationships with the Fire Service, Regiment and other security partners in the Emergency Measures Organisation.

He said lessons included the need for a separate command structure to deal with a crisis away from day to day policing.

“Planning for other events will now take that into account.”

He said communication had been improved with the US Consulate General and overseas security forces.

“There is better and earlier sharing of information and this occurs on a far more regular basis.”

He said procedure for dealing with anthrax threats had been improved.

But Mr. Smith played down the threat of terrorism action here.

He said: “It is important to recognise the likelihood of terrorist acts is far more likely to occur outside Bermuda than here.

“Consequently we have to consider our response to the immediate effect of a terrorist act elsewhere.”

He said he was pleased with the way authorities had dealt with the local impact last year.

“We were faced with extraordinary events and rapidly changing circumstances.

“The response of the Emergency Measures Organisation was quick and decisive and the steps taken were necessary to ensure the airport could safely handle diverted aircraft and passengers and to ensure the safety of American and other foreign visitors.”