UK travellers are being forced to throw away £60million worth of items at airport security each year, according to a recent survey. Passengers are getting caught out at check points with banned objects such as deodorant cans, manicure kits and curling tongs.
The figures were released following a recent survey by G4S Aviation Services, which also found that 110,000 Britons have lied when asked by airport security if they packed their own luggage, a criminal offence. In addition more than 122,000 passengers left luggage unattended in airports last year, while visiting the toilet, airport bars or duty free shops.
Gavin Windsor, managing director, G4S Aviation Services said: “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.”
One-in-five Britons has had items confiscated by airport security in the last five years, while one-in-ten travellers did not check luggage regulations before flying. As well as liquids and sharp objects, some 22,400 toy guns and 17,000 poisons were confiscated by security at airports last year.
Passengers looking for more information about what they can take on board an aircraft should go to direct.gov.uk, as well as checking with the airline they are travelling with.
G4S Aviation with airports and airlines to provide security services – for more information visit g4s.com/uk-aviation.
Report by Sara Turner
