KLM747
October 3, 2000, 08:24 AM
The following article doesn't make me feel good! How could this happen?
A gun and a fake bomb have been smuggled through one of Britain's busiest airports.
http://www.sky.com/news/pictures/20001003_stansted.jpg
Security is being reviewed at Stansted in Essex after inspectors managed to get the weapons through checks.
One Department of Transport worker walked through a metal detector with a handgun tucked in the back of his trousers. Even though the alarm went off, the staff who searched him failed to spot the hidden gun.
Then a fake bomb, complete with battery, wires and timer, was hidden in a carrier bag and put through an X-ray machine without being spotted.
'Highest priority'
Chris Butler, operations director for BAA, which runs Stansted, said a security review was underway. A memo has been sent to staff offering more training.
Mr Butler said: "The safety and security of all our customers is BAA's highest priority at all times. We take our security responsibilities very seriously, hence the memo to staff, and you can be assured that measures have been taken to assess this matter."
The DTI carries out regular tests on Britain's airports – it said was "discussing the results of this particular inspection" with BAA.
Stansted is the fourth busiest airport in Britain after Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. It is the designated airport for hijacked flights.
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Arguing with a pilot is like wrestling with a pig in the mud, after a while you begin to think the pig likes it.
— Seen on a General Dynamics bulletin board
A gun and a fake bomb have been smuggled through one of Britain's busiest airports.
http://www.sky.com/news/pictures/20001003_stansted.jpg
Security is being reviewed at Stansted in Essex after inspectors managed to get the weapons through checks.
One Department of Transport worker walked through a metal detector with a handgun tucked in the back of his trousers. Even though the alarm went off, the staff who searched him failed to spot the hidden gun.
Then a fake bomb, complete with battery, wires and timer, was hidden in a carrier bag and put through an X-ray machine without being spotted.
'Highest priority'
Chris Butler, operations director for BAA, which runs Stansted, said a security review was underway. A memo has been sent to staff offering more training.
Mr Butler said: "The safety and security of all our customers is BAA's highest priority at all times. We take our security responsibilities very seriously, hence the memo to staff, and you can be assured that measures have been taken to assess this matter."
The DTI carries out regular tests on Britain's airports – it said was "discussing the results of this particular inspection" with BAA.
Stansted is the fourth busiest airport in Britain after Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. It is the designated airport for hijacked flights.
------------------
Arguing with a pilot is like wrestling with a pig in the mud, after a while you begin to think the pig likes it.
— Seen on a General Dynamics bulletin board