Coventry Airport and police launch suitcase crime initiative
29.05.07
Coventry Airport has linked up with the police and Crimestoppers to highlight suitcase crime and to promote the importance of passengers locking their luggage. As part of 'Operation Gravesend', they have handed out 1000 free padlocks to travellers at the airport to encourage them to secure their cases.
Sgt. Andrew Ware, Warwickshire Police's aviation policing development officer, said: 'We are trying to prevent opportunist thieves from stealing items from bags. The vast majority of cases will contain valuables such as iPods, cameras and jewellery.'
'The problem is not as bad at Coventry as in other airports. In the past 12 months we have had 33 cases reported to us, where iPods and similar items have been stolen. In none of the cases had padlocks been fitted.'
Sgt. Ware said another advantage of padlocks was that they stopped illegal items, such as drugs, being slipped into an unsuspecting passenger's case. He said: 'There have been incidents reported nationally where drugs have been slipped in because the zip was easy to open. And then, after reaching the destination, they have got to the bag first and taken the drugs back. A padlock is a simple way to prevent similar incidents.'
Chris Orphanou, managing director of Coventry airport, said: 'It is all too easy for passengers, especially holidaymakers, to relax and forget about the important security aspects of travelling.'
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