HEATHROW SECURITY SCARE

The Government is to launch an investigation after Sky News uncovered major security lapses at Heathrow airport.

An undercover reporter repeatedly gained access to restricted areas.


An undercover Sky News reporter highlighted how easy it was to walk into British Airways offices containing confidential security documents.

He also managed to walk by passenger planes just hours before they were due to take off.

BA has launched an investigation following the report, while the British Airports Authority (BAA), owner of Heathrow, admitted "there was room for improvement".

The reporter returned to the airport on a number of occasions at night and carrying only a broom managed to escape the attention of security.

Only once was he challenged, but even then staff did not ask for security credentials and he was allowed to carry on.

He found a BA office unlocked and inside key manuals detailing the airline's security procedures.

It detailed how staff are supposed to respond to bomb threats, how they are vetted before joining, and procedures for negotiating with hijackers.




Our reporter repeatedly entered restricted areas


Airport offices and out-of-bounds airside areas were easily breached, forcing bosses to review procedures.

On another occasion the reporter broke through what should have been a watertight cordon keeping the public away from restricted areas of the airport.

From the public viewing platform on top of Terminal 2 he found a gap in razorwire and slipped through.

Once down on to the ground, he walked for 15 minutes unchecked and unnoticed around airliners that later would be filled with passengers.

In a statement, the Department of Transport said: "The department views all breaches of security seriously and takes action wherever appropriate.



He discovered tagged keys to access confidential documents




"In this instance corrective action has already been taken by both BAA and British Airways, but we will carry out a thorough investigation and consider whether any additional steps are necessary."

A BAA spokesman said: "Safety and security are the top priorities at Heathrow.

"We are constantly seeking ways to maintain an effective barrier between the landside and airside parts of the airport, and to remain alert to any potential vulnerabilities.

"On the basis of the information provided by Sky News, it would appear that there is room for improvement in this particular area of the airport and we have already taken steps to address that."

And BA also said it would take action.

A statement said: "Safety and security are always our top priorities and we are extremely concerned to hear that an undercover reporter has taken some documents and a high visibility vest from one of our landside offices within Terminal 1 at London Heathrow.

"We have launched our own immediate investigation into the allegations made against the airline to ensure that appropriate action is taken to avoid this happening again."