Shapers
03-29-2007, 10:14 PM
Airport baggage theft scandal
EXCLUSIVE by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
FOUR baggage handlers are being questioned over allegations that they stole from suitcases at Liverpool John Lennon airport.
The employees were immediately suspended after a routine stop and search by other airport staff.
JLA bosses today confirmed the handlers had been withdrawn from their duties and that an internal investigation had been launched.
A spokesman for the airport would not say what items were thought to have been stolen, but the ECHO understands it included a quantity of cigarettes and other items.
Airport staff are asked to undergo random searches. The four handlers were stopped as they were leaving the building at the end of a shift on March 13.
Merseyside police have not yet been informed, but it is thought officers could be called in to investigate depending on the outcome of the airport inquiry.
The JLA investigation is expected to be completed by next month.
It is not yet known whether the allegations surrounding the four baggage handlers involve a one-off incident or a spate of thefts.
Robin Tudor, commercial services manager at the airport, said: “I can confirm that four members of staff have been suspended following allegations of theft from luggage.
“An investigation is still ongoing and no final decisions have been made.
“This is a rare occurrence and we have measures in place to make sure this does not happen again.”
The news of the suspensions came as more than 100 baggage handlers face losing their jobs at JLA due to a change in working practice.
Ramp service workers were told 104 jobs would have to be cut as a contract to handle baggage for easyJet would not be renewed when it ends next month.
EXCLUSIVE by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
FOUR baggage handlers are being questioned over allegations that they stole from suitcases at Liverpool John Lennon airport.
The employees were immediately suspended after a routine stop and search by other airport staff.
JLA bosses today confirmed the handlers had been withdrawn from their duties and that an internal investigation had been launched.
A spokesman for the airport would not say what items were thought to have been stolen, but the ECHO understands it included a quantity of cigarettes and other items.
Airport staff are asked to undergo random searches. The four handlers were stopped as they were leaving the building at the end of a shift on March 13.
Merseyside police have not yet been informed, but it is thought officers could be called in to investigate depending on the outcome of the airport inquiry.
The JLA investigation is expected to be completed by next month.
It is not yet known whether the allegations surrounding the four baggage handlers involve a one-off incident or a spate of thefts.
Robin Tudor, commercial services manager at the airport, said: “I can confirm that four members of staff have been suspended following allegations of theft from luggage.
“An investigation is still ongoing and no final decisions have been made.
“This is a rare occurrence and we have measures in place to make sure this does not happen again.”
The news of the suspensions came as more than 100 baggage handlers face losing their jobs at JLA due to a change in working practice.
Ramp service workers were told 104 jobs would have to be cut as a contract to handle baggage for easyJet would not be renewed when it ends next month.