With you on collecting shaving equip etc., however beyond the 'wall of steel' that is BAA security(!) I think you might find that security procedures vary quite widely across the airline spectrum.
We had abolished headcounts under certain conditions (ie gate-to-aeroplane security adequate, known airports only etc.) but immediately re-instated them after 11/09. We also insist on 100% bag screening, and where this is not possible manual pax bag ID is completeed alongside before boarding. Other deep security checks are now routine, and we react very quickly and it seems at great expense to the company in order to comply with up-to-date DTLR info.
Other airlines do not... the cost of these precautions compromising their (management, not pilots!) desire to work as hard to cover all the bases.
That said, security in the UK has always been of a significantly higher standard than other parts of Europe, and certainly the domestic US - the ever present threat of our Irish friends, amongst others, giving good reason to be trained and have adequate(?) provisions in place.
This is not a 'boast', hence I have not mentioned who I work for - merely to point out that it is unfair and inaccurate to generalise about 'UK' airlines.
Whereabouts in Europe are you from, flapflap, which gives you such cause to point the finger at UK security in particular? I hope not Holland, Spain, Greece, Italy or France...