BBC expose security failures at Norwich Airport
25.04.08
A BBC investigation has uncovered major security issues at Norwich Airport. An undercover team exposed security loopholes and were able to drive undetected into the restricted area of the airport on 2 days.
Security is supposed to be tight because of a ‘severe’ threat of terrorism in the UK, but the BBC team were able to pass undetected through a security checkpoint past 3 barriers on 2 separate days. They walked to where aircraft are manoeuvred and serviced and spent 45 minutes inside without being challenged. The team was also able to drive in the vicinity of the taxiing runway and stand near to jet fuel tanks beside one of the hangars.
Norwich Airport has expanded rapidly in recent years and handles 800,000 passengers a year. Flybe operates passenger flights to a number of routes and major airlines, such as Air France, and KLM, use the airport to service some of their planes. It is also a terminal for helicopter flights to offshore gas rigs.
However, the BBC investigation found that at certain times of the day, vehicles could come and go freely into the restricted area of the airport because the main security checkpoint was left unmanned. Some of the barriers were left in the upright position and at one point over Easter the barrier was stuck in the open position.
Entry through this gate is supposed to be controlled, but it has become common practice for shift workers to tailgate each other through the security gate without stopping at the intercom, the BBC claims.
Group Four Securicor (G4S) has the contract to secure the airport and is in charge of controlling access to aircraft and vehicle access into the restricted zone. However, a spokesperson for the company told the BBC: ‘We can confirm that G4S Aviation services (UK) provides security at Norwich Airport.'
‘However, the company is not contracted to provide a permanent security presence. The security breach identified by the BBC occurred at a time when G4S was not contracted to provide security. Any concerns arising from the incident are a matter for the operators of Norwich Airport.'
In a statement the airport said: ‘Norwich International Airport has been advised by the BBC of a security lapse in relation to access to a controlled area of the airport. The airport takes security very seriously and is carrying out a full investigation. We have taken immediate action to rectify any shortcomings in our procedures to ensure that similar events do not happen again.'
The full investigation is on Look East tonight BBC1 at 18:30.
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book norwich airport hotel or norwich airport car parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great norwich airport car parking and norwich airport hotel price comparison websites.
