Passengers' illegal haul revealed

More than 200 illegal weapons were found in passenger hand luggage at Gatwick Airport in 2008, according to figures obtained by the BBC.

Security staff also seized about 100 sharp items each week, despite them being banned since 2001.

The figures also revealed that more than 140 airport workers had been injured by the objects.

The haul of illegal items included hiking poles, corkscrews, knuckle dusters and catapults.

CS spray

Items such as hypodermic needles - except for those used for medical condition - cutlery, tools, corkscrews, sporting bats or cues, darts and scissors.

Passengers are being urged to make sure they do not carry prohibited items through the security checks.

Sussex Police Chief Insp Ed Henriet said: "The security will call us when the item that they have found in their search is perhaps more significant and an item that will be perhaps illegal on the street as well.

"We got called across to deal with folding knives, sharp items and sometimes CS gas spray and knuckle dusters."

Gatwick Airport security manager Louise Belsey said staff had been injured by weapons has they were found in the luggage.

In August 2008 Labour MP for Edgbaston, Gisela Stuart, said security staff failed to spot a 7ins (17.7cm) blade in her hand luggage as she travelled to Corsica.

She told the House of Commons that she had left a fruit knife in the side-pocket of her shopping bag.

Following the incident the airport said it would retrain staff following the security breach.

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