Security passes suspended as 300 staff at Heathrow security under police investigation
Posted: 12 August 2016 | Roy Manuell | 1 comment
Staff, believed to be predominantly in the cleaning and catering departments, at London Heathrow are under police investigation after allegations regarding the circulation of fraudulent security passes.
Staff, believed to be predominantly in the cleaning and catering departments, at London Heathrow are under police investigation after allegations regarding the circulation of fraudulent security passes.
It was announced on Wednesday that two women had been arrested suspected of fraud and money laundering, Scotland Yard has said.
Sodexo, a contractor at the airport reassured that the suspension was, above all, “a precautionary measure”.
Join us live: Shaping the Next Generation of Hold Baggage and Air Cargo Screening
Join us live for an insightful webinar on 11th December at 14:00 GMT, in collaboration with Smiths Detection, as we explore the strategic balance of operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and sustainability in high-volume security environments.
This session offers a focused look into future-proofing your security strategy.
Key learning points
- Cost Reduction: Strategies to minimize bag travel time while simultaneously reducing operational costs.
- Regulatory Roadmap: Insights into the next wave of regulatory changes and their impact on future investment decisions.
- Sustainable Systems: Practical approaches to building sustainability into security systems and lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Scalable Solutions: Real-world examples of scalable systems supporting current airport growth and preparing for tomorrow.
Register now for expert insights, case studies, and actionable strategies on operational efficiency!
The move has called into question airside security at the UK’s busiest airport.
A Metropolitan police spokeswoman confirmed that two women had been taken into custody.
“They have been arrested in relation to an allegation that money has been fraudulently taken from a bank account.”
Scotland Yard however later suggested that there was “no evidence that airside passes have been sold”.
Heathrow security under threat?
While there is no indication that the arrests are in any way terror-related, the news inevitably comes as a scare at a time when key European capitals have been heavily targeted by attacks.
Tougher measures were introduced during Tony Blair’s government in 2002 following two large-scale robberies at Heathrow and included the need to declare five years’ employment references and records without gaps or anomalies.
That said, the Department for Transport conceded that aviation security is a topic constantly under review but that the government was taking “all steps necessary to keep the public safe.”
As recently as last month, an alert from counter-terrorism NGO Site Intelligence Group warned the government of a threat being made by a “pro-Islamic State Twitter account” threatening that “there will be a device placed in either Heathrow, LAX [Los Angeles] or JFK [New York] airports”.
The Department for Transport said speaking with respect to the latest developments: “We are aware of this issue. Safety and security of passengers is our priority.
“We keep aviation security under constant review, but as this matter is the subject of an ongoing police investigation we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Join our free webinar: Beyond silos: How ecosystem thinking elevates the airport experience
In today’s complex aviation landscape, airports are moving beyond siloed operations to embrace a new era of collaboration. This webinar focuses on how leading airports are using ecosystem thinking to adapt, personalize, and continuously improve every touchpoint, boosting both passenger satisfaction and non-aeronautical revenue.
Date: 13 Nov | Time: 10:00 GMT
REGISTER NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT
Can’t attend live? No worries – register to receive the recording post-event.
Chief Executive Officer
CEO
Chief Operating Officer
Head of Operations, Safety and Emergency
Chief Strategy Development Officer
Head of Operations
Airport General Manager
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
That’s a good measure that has been taken to deter the bad elements in the society, I’m happy to hear these having worked in the aviation industry for the past 12 years insider threat is real all over even in more developed countries.