UK airports have seen a troubling increase in crime, with over 6,000 offences reported last year, raising serious safety concerns.
London: Crime is on the rise at UK airports, and it’s a bit alarming. Last year, over 6,000 offences were reported. That’s a 13% jump from the previous year.
We’re talking about everything from thefts to drug smuggling and even assaults. And honestly, the real numbers might be even higher since some police forces, like Sussex, didn’t provide full stats.
For instance, at Norwich Airport, hold luggage was raided before it even got to baggage claim. Can you believe that? Plus, police at Exeter and Liverpool John Lennon airports found packages with drugs and weapons.
There was even a bizarre incident in Belfast where a security guard made an airline staff member uncomfortable. It’s just wild what’s happening.
According to the figures released under Freedom of Information laws, 6,056 crimes were recorded at major airports last year, up from 5,367 the year before. That’s a lot of crime!
Out of those, 3,804 were thefts, 795 were assaults, and there were also cases involving weapons, drugs, and even sex offences. London’s Met Police, covering Heathrow and City airports, reported the highest number of crimes at 1,979.
Manchester followed with 1,657, then Luton with 913, and Birmingham with 303. AirportsUK, the trade body, said crime at airports is unacceptable and that they’re working closely with police to tackle it.
