The armed police protecting the UK's nuclear materials and power stations still do not have a secure IT network, two years after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Computing can reveal that a new, safe network planned for the UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary (UKAEAC) won't be in place for at least two years.

Until then, officers in the field and at the nuclear sites for which they have responsibility have:

• No direct access to the Police National Computer (PNC) database
• No mechanism for real-time sharing of intelligence data in the UKAEAC force or with national security services
• No access to operational applications such as tracking systems for nuclear materials escorts.

  Officers needing PNC checks must phone requests to headquarters. Sharing classified data involves a phone call to ensure the recipient is standing by a secure fax.

  The UKAEAC says there are provisions in place for rapid response, but admits plans for a secure network are on hold for two years.

  'We do have operational policing systems but they are separate and there?s no single joined-up network,' said UKAEAC IT manager Paul Stone.

  'We can handle it but there is a slower timeframe for moving information around.'

  Independent nuclear expert Dr John Large says the UKAEAC need a secure communications network to make sure it can respond to potential threats.

  'The thing in everyone?s mind at the moment is a terrorist attack, and if the UKAEAC doesn't have secure systems to communicate, both amongst themselves and beyond, then the whole emergency planning framework could be in doubt,' he said.

  A report last week by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary acknowledged UKAEAC's lack of infrastructure and 'islands of information' created by local databases.

  A UKAEAC Police Authority spokesman said: 'We are taking on board the HMIC recommendations. However, we would stress that our current IT network is not deficient, but is commensurate with its role and size.'