Bristol Security

A major security alert forced the closure of Bristol Airport in August, and many people were surprised by the strength of the response from the Bristol police. The reason for the closure was the discovery of a note in one of the planes, which stated that there was a bomb on board the plane. This forced the evacuation of the airport, and planes were diverted while the police investigated the letter. Although there were some objections to the closure, most people on the ground appreciated the urgency of the closure, and were proud of the swift response shown by Avon and Somerset police.

Investigating the hoax

Once it became clear that there was no bomb on board, the police then started their investigation into the hoax. The police chose to interview every passenger who had been aboard the plane, which was a return flight from Alicante arriving in the early hours of Sunday morning. The note had been discovered during the inspection of the plane after passengers had disembarked. The investigation into the hoax will concentrate upon the security risk, and the reasons for the note being left in the plane to be found by inspectors.

Protecting the airport

Airport security is one of the most important, and while many people don’t realise how effective security is in airports, they may be aware of an increased presence, not only in Bristol but also in other airports. Bristol Security staff in these buildings are risking their lives to ensure that the passengers, flight crew and ground staff are all protected from the risk of terrorism and violence, and they often do a long day’s work without any praise for their efforts.

How security in airports has changed

Most people see the Twin Towers attacks as the reason for most changes in the security at airports, but there has been increasing pressure on airline security. Plots and failed attacks have increased the demands for airline security, particularly around the metal scanners. While most passengers will never experience any kind of bomb threat or security issue, it is important to consider how you would react if there was a threat. Unaccompanied bags and parcels, or people acting in a suspicious manner can be reported to airline security, allowing them to deal with the issue. When being evacuated, Bristol passengers should also maintain awareness, and keep moving towards the exits without running or panicking.

Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ben_salter/