From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AIRPORT SECURITY FAILS TO SPOT GUN AND `BOMB' 030304 OCT 10 By David Barrett, PA News A gun and a fake bomb were smuggled past security checks at one of Britain's busiest airports by government inspectors, it was reported today. Security guards at Stansted airport in Essex failed to detect the weapons in the test even though there was no sophisticated attempt to conceal them, said The Sun newspaper. A Department of Transport inspector managed to walk through a metal detector - and be in a position to board an aircraft - with a handgun tucked into the back of his trousers. The alarm went off but staff who searched him with hand scanners missed the weapon hidden in the small of his back. 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. The newspaper said security staff are complaining of low morale caused by understaffing at the airport, which is the fourth busiest after Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, and Britain's designated airport for hijacked flights. The tests were carried out as part of a regular programme by Department of Transport inspectors. Stansted security staff have received a memo from their manager, Neil Perry, offering staff more training. Chris Butler, operations director for BAA, which runs Stansted, confirmed security was being reassessed in the wake of the inspection but would not comment on the details of specific tests. "The safety and security of all our customers is BAA's highest priority at all times," he said. "We work closely with the Department of Transport to ensure the effective implementation of airport security practices which are laid down by government. The tests referred to are part of this continuous assessment. "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." A spokesman for the Department of Transport said they have been talking to BAA about the results of this test. "The department is concerned to make sure that the highest standards of security are maintained at UK airports and regularly conduct a variety of inspections and tests. "We cannot comment on results of individual tests for operational reasons but we have contacted BAA and are discussing the results of this particular inspection with them," he said. Kenneth Pantling Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny. (Edmund Burke�1729-97) Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
