Gatwick Airport, the second busiest airport in Britain, was breached with replica bombs that were hidden in hand baggage, while a safety inspection was being conducted. A bag that contained a device allegedly raised a flag of suspicion by a x-ray scanner, but it was then handed back to the owner following a search by security. The guards who searched through the bag were not able to identify the bag’s contents.

This breach happened while the European Commission was conducting an inspection during the month and has raised serious questions over the security in British airports during a time when their staff are being pressured to decrease lines at checkpoints.

Sources at Gatwick Airport are blaming this error on the staff being more focused on banned items, such as liquids, which means that more obvious dangers are being overlooked. The sources say that in one of the cases, a replica bomb put up a flag on the scanner’s screen, it was searched, and then given back to the inspector since security didn’t know what the contents were. They continued, there is more focus from the security on screen for liquids that it seems they have forgotten the basics.

The airport source also said that the screening staff has distractions from the virtual software that projects the banned items’ image on the screen while the bag goes through the machine. They said that they are spending a lot time looking for the virtual items and not focusing on the real ones.

The British Airports Authority has confirmed that there was an inspection, but they would not comment on the result of it. Also, the European Commission is anticipated to do a follow-up during the week to see if the procedures of security have been tightened.

Find out more information about Gatwick Airport at: www.gatwickairport.com