Newcastle Airport confiscating 1000 items from hand luggage every day
11.08.07
A £750,000 mountain of hand luggage items has piled up at Newcastle Airport because passengers are still failing to obey security rules introduced a year ago. Up to 30% of travellers at the airport attempt to carry liquids in quantities greater than 100ml through security search areas and airport security are confiscating upwards of 1,000 items every day from passengers' hand luggage, including tins of beans, bottles of HP Sauce and jars of Marmite.
It is exactly a year today since hand luggage security measures were stepped up after police discovered a terrorist plot to blow up seven US-bound passenger jets. Initially a blanket ban was put on of any type of fluid being taken through airport security, but the restrictions were relaxed in November, allowing passengers to carry on small quantities of liquids, but only in containers no greater than 100ml inside a single, clear plastic bag.
However, passengers are still failing to obey the rules. A spokesman for Newcastle airport revealed that an estimated £11,000 worth of items are removed from passengers' hand luggage every week, and it is believed upwards of £750,000 worth over the course of the year.
The most common confiscated items are fizzy drinks, water, suntan lotion, perfume, shampoo and toothpaste. But items with a much higher value are also being found in hand luggage. Recently a bottle of vintage champagne worth £175 was taken from a passenger.
The airport has been forced to employ a full-time recycling officer to deal with the problem, which is costing thousands of pounds. Security compliance manager Kevin McNicholas said: 'The simplest thing to do is to put any gels, creams, perfumes and lotions in your check-in luggage. It's crucial that passengers pay attention to the restrictions. Those ignoring the rules contribute to unnecessary delays.'
For the latest rules on hand luggage, visit this Department for Transport page.
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