Lance Knobel writes on security at the British Prime Minister’s office:

A few years ago, when I first had to go to Downing Street, the security consisted of a policeman checking your name was on a list. If it was, you were ushered through the gates and walked to Number Ten. No one checked your bag, no one checked any ID to see that you were in fact the person you claimed to be.

Inside 10 Downing Street, the only additional security was the requirement to leave your mobile phone on the table in the hallway.

This was in the immediate aftermath of 9-11. Of course, a few months later, metal detectors were added to the security, which I’m sure is sensible. Still no one confirmed a visitor’s identity.

That compares to my experience when I wasn’t on the list yet trying to approach — from 50 miles away — the World Economic Forum’s meeting in Jordan last year, in a bus full of other attendees. It created quite a ruckus and substantial delay for everybody. (And justly so, I’d say).

Interesting backnote: Lance used to be a key organizer of World Economic Forum meetings.