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November 9, 2003
Staff at Capital Terminal Fail in Security Test Bombs Smuggled Through Airport – Edinburgh SECURITY staff failed to spot two ``bombs'' being smuggled through Edinburgh airport in a hush-hush Government test. A major probe has now been launched to find out why they were not detected. And a source at the airport said: ``People will be dragged over the coals because of this.'' Undercover officers from the Department of Transport staged the test of security last month. Devices were hidden inside a laptop computer and a hairdryer and put into luggage. The checked-in bags were passed through X-ray machines and given the green light by security staff to pass onto an aircraft. Last night, a member of staff at Edinburgh Airport, who asked not to be named, said: ``This was a serious breach of security. ``It proves how easy it would have been for real terrorists to smuggle a real bomb on to an aircraft. ``The officers went through the same security screening process as any other passengers. Yet the bombs were still allowed to slip through the net. Questions will be asked.'' A Department of Transport spokesman said last night: ``Tests are undertaken at all UK airports. Action is taken if appropriate.'' The British Airports Authority, who own the Edinburgh terminal, have vowed to beef up security. A spokesman said: ``The results of these tests are used to improve and enhance our systems.'' Almost seven million passengers pass through Edinburgh Airport every year but armed patrols have been removed.
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