MORE COHEARENCE NEEDED OVER AIRPORT SECURITY - LORELY BURT
June 5, 2007 12:00 AM
Following the revelations over serious lapses in security at Birmingham International Airport, as shown on ITV1's 'Tonight with Trevor McDonald', local MP Lorely Burt has called for a single body to take control of overall security, and for a thorough review of this grave breach.
The undercover investigation found claimed "shocking failures" at Birmingham International Airport (BIA), including security officers sleeping while on duty and inadequate passenger searches.
The sixth-month investigation into the work of ICTS UK - one of the security firms used by BIA - also found planes left unguarded, poor staffing levels and luggage sent for extra checks ignored by officials.
Commenting from Westminster, Lorely Burt MP said:
"The grave lapses in security exposed at Birmingham last night should act as a wake up call to Airport authorities across the country.
"The people seeking to cause harm aren't amateurs. If a television programme can resource an investigation like this and show weaknesses, then those who have the ability to cause harm can also take advantage."
"What the programme has revealed is that there are many levels of security with different organisations providing it: Police, Customs & Excise, Immigration and Sub-contractors. This can't be delivered in a piecemeal way or something will fall through the gaps. One body has to take responsibility for ensuring that EVERYBODY working at the airport makes security their first priority."
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