Security fears as security staff cut
28.10.08
Liverpool Airport bosses have denied cuts to their security staff will jeopardise safety, the Echo reports.
Security firm G4S provides 160 guards at the airport to carry out a range of checks, from items of baggage to personal searches of passengers. But guards have told the newspaper that 25 members of staff are being axed, which they say will compromise security at a time when airports are on high alert against possible terrorist plots.
A guard told the Echo: ‘There are cutbacks and we fear it will jeopardise security of the airport and people flying out. Flights have been cancelled over the winter period and I imagine they will say we do not need [the axed staff]. They are reshuffling everything to cater for redundancies. We check bags and people and we are the major security at the airport.’
A G4S Aviation Services spokesperson said: ‘As a result of revised customer requirements at Liverpool Airport G4S Aviation Services (UK) is rationalising its operational processes and this is likely to impact the number of security officers employed at the site.'
‘Negotiations have commenced with employees and their representatives to ensure employees are supported. Security levels at the airport will be unaffected. We operate to the highest industry standards and will continue to ensure that these standards are maintained.’
A Liverpool Airport spokesman added: ‘We are seeing a reduction in flight frequencies so from a staffing perspective there isn’t the need to have the number of staff we have had through the summer. We hope it is a temporary thing and as passenger numbers and the market picks up it gets back to where it was. It definitely will not compromise safety.’
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