Airport workers on theft charges

The men screened baggage for a security firm used at the airport

Five Gatwick Airport security guards have been charged with stealing from passengers' bags.

The men were arrested in March and were employed as baggage screeners for Initial Aviation Security, police said.

Four of the men, who all live in Crawley or Redhill, have been charged with theft, while the fifth is charged with theft and going equipped to steal.

They will appear before Crawley magistrates on 5 and 12 July. Police say more people will be questioned.

Laptop computers

Eight people were arrested in March after a year-long operation at the airport between Sussex Police, airport operator BAA and the Department for Transport.

Police said £50,000 worth of items, including 30 laptop computers, were recovered.

A spokeswoman said Kenneth Leyland, 40, of The Copse, South Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey, has been charged with eight counts of theft from baggage and one count of going equipped to steal.

Joao Vasconcelos, 23, of Cuckfield Close, Bewbush, Crawley, West Sussex, is charged with two counts of theft from baggage.

Luis Coelho, 26, of Rother Crescent, Gossops Green, Crawley, is charged with four counts of theft from baggage.

Emanuel Vasconcelos, 28, of Cuckfield Close, Bewbush, Crawley, has been charged with two counts of theft from baggage.

They will appear before Crawley magistrates on 5 July.

Jose Magalhaes, 45, of North Street, Redhill, is charged with seven counts of theft from baggage and will appear at Crawley Magistrates Court on 12 July.

The spokeswoman said on Thursday a number of other people were still on bail awaiting further interview.