| New research
from G4S Aviation Services (‘G4S’) reveals that every year over 110,000 Britons
are dishonest when asked by airport security officers if they packed their own
luggage. In addition, more than 122,000 passengers leave luggage unattended
when going to the toilet, visiting airport bars and when duty free shopping each
year, creating major security alerts and long delays. Ahead of the summer travel
rush, G4S is warning passengers that it is a criminal offence to lie to airport
security about packing your own bags and offenders found guilty could find
themselves facing prosecution.
Gavin Windsor,
Managing Director, G4S Aviation Services commented: “Each year we face a summer
of security alerts and delays at airports as a result of irresponsible
travellers leaving bags unattended and putting restricted items in their hand
luggage. Before they fly, all travellers should check with their airline the
items that they are permitted to take on board the aircraft and keep their bags
with them at all times.”
According to the
findings, one-in-five (19%) Britons has had items confiscated by airport
security in the last five years. Even amongst those that did not have items
confiscated, one-in-ten (11%) travellers did not check regulations regarding
carry-on luggage before flying. G4S is advising travellers to carefully check
regulations before flying or risk having items confiscated from their hand
luggage.
The research
shows that almost 900,000 British travellers each year have liquids seized by
personnel at security check points and over half a million flyers have had sharp
objects such as knives and scissors confiscated. Meanwhile, over 325,000 Britons
have had medical items and toiletries confiscated. G4S is urging travellers
taking essential medical supplies, such as a
syringe and needles to treat diabetes,
onto an
aeroplane,
to ensure they have a letter from their doctor confirming their condition, or
they risk being denied access to their flight.
Items
confiscated by security at airports in the last year:
|
Item
|
Number of
passengers that have had these items confiscated |
|
Liquids
(such as beverages) |
897,400 |
|
Sharp
objects |
629,600 |
|
Medical
items and toiletries |
325,200 |
|
Gases/gas
powered devices |
70,400 |
|
Explosives |
24,600 |
|
Toy guns |
22,400 |
|
Flammable
liquids |
21,600 |
|
Corrosives |
20,800 |
|
Poisons |
17,000 |
Every year
British travellers voluntarily dispose of £60 million worth of items including,
toiletries, deodorant cans and manicure kits when they reach the security
checkpoints at airport departure gates. Passengers could find themselves forced
to throw away expensive makeup and designer perfumes if they are over 100ml by
volume and fail to put them into their checked luggage.
Regional
findings:
One-in-four
Londoners has had items confiscated by airport security in the last five years.
People living in the South East were most likely to lie to airport security
about packing their own bags, with more than one-in-twenty (6%) travellers
admitting to this crime. Travellers from the North East are the most likely to
leave their luggage unattended in airports, with one-in-twenty travellers in the
last five years risking causing a major security alert.
A passenger
flying to Sao Paulo, Brazil, from a British airport in May was found to have
given false information regarding packing her own baggage. The passenger was
immediately taken off the plane and handed to the appropriate authorities.
Travellers wishing to check what they are permitted to take on board an aircraft
can visit the government’s website (www.direct.gov.uk)
and should check with their airline before flying.
G4S Website
Posted by
Kristina Tasic
– 14 July 2009
|
