12:12pm UK, Friday July 22, 2005

Security on the New York subway is being beefed up in the wake of the London terrorist attacks.

Police have begun random searches of bags and packages carried by people entering city subways.

180 US subway security rises

Subway security increases

Full scale inspections are planned for rush hours - those who refuse to be searched will not be allowed to travel.

An estimated 4.5 million people ride the subway each day in New York.

"We just live in a world where, sadly, these kinds of security measures are necessary," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

"Are they intrusive? Yes, a little bit. But we are trying to find that right balance."

Similar random searches will be conducted by Metropolitan Transportation Authority police on suburban commuter trains.

New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said passengers would ideally be searched before they pass through the subway turnstiles, although they could also be checked once inside the system.

He said: "It might slow individuals down, but we will do it in a reasonable way."