Security shambles as airport is invaded for third night in row

[Jim Mason]

Security shambles as airport is invaded for third night in row

Alastair Dalton, Scotsman Online, 09/08/06

More break-ins at Prestwick as protesters board US aircraft again 17 protesters
appear in court 'war crime detectives' said they were searching for arms bound
for Israel Key quote "The situation needs looked at very closely. First the
protesters are able to cut through the fence, then get into the airport and on
to a plane, which sounds very bad indeed. It would be of concern to me if I was
a passenger using Prestwick." - David Capitanchik, a terrorism expert

ANTI-WAR protesters broke into Prestwick airport for a third night running,
prompting alarm among security experts that aircraft could be vulnerable to
terrorists.

Full story at

http://business.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=299&id=1152342006

which is ©2006 Scotsman.com

Extract posted with the kind permission of the Scotsman Group Syndications
Dept.

[Damian]

Post by Jim Mason
Security shambles as airport is invaded for third night in row
Alastair Dalton, Scotsman Online, 09/08/06
More break-ins at Prestwick as protesters board US aircraft again 17 protesters
appear in court 'war crime detectives' said they were searching for arms bound
for Israel Key quote "The situation needs looked at very closely. First the
protesters are able to cut through the fence, then get into the airport and on
to a plane, which sounds very bad indeed. It would be of concern to me if I was
a passenger using Prestwick." - David Capitanchik, a terrorism expert
ANTI-WAR protesters broke into Prestwick airport for a third night running,
prompting alarm among security experts that aircraft could be vulnerable to
terrorists.

This is all very worrying. If a bunch of hippies and old grannies can
fool Prestwick security, surely it can't be difficult for those far
more organised and with deadlier intent to do the same? Major review of
security at all UK airports needed, perhaps?

[Jim Mason]

Post by Damian

Post by Jim Mason
Security shambles as airport is invaded for third night in row
Alastair Dalton, Scotsman Online, 09/08/06
More break-ins at Prestwick as protesters board US aircraft again 17 protesters
appear in court 'war crime detectives' said they were searching for arms bound
for Israel Key quote "The situation needs looked at very closely. First the
protesters are able to cut through the fence, then get into the airport and on
to a plane, which sounds very bad indeed. It would be of concern to me if I was
a passenger using Prestwick." - David Capitanchik, a terrorism expert
ANTI-WAR protesters broke into Prestwick airport for a third night running,
prompting alarm among security experts that aircraft could be vulnerable to
terrorists.

This is all very worrying. If a bunch of hippies and old grannies can
fool Prestwick security, surely it can't be difficult for those far
more organised and with deadlier intent to do the same? Major review of
security at all UK airports needed, perhaps?

It is hardly surprising. Spotters seem to regularly be able to cut holes in
fences without detection - cutting holes to enter the field cannot be difficult
then?

Jim

[Damian]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Damian

Post by Jim Mason
Security shambles as airport is invaded for third night in row
Alastair Dalton, Scotsman Online, 09/08/06
More break-ins at Prestwick as protesters board US aircraft again 17 protesters
appear in court 'war crime detectives' said they were searching for arms bound
for Israel Key quote "The situation needs looked at very closely. First the
protesters are able to cut through the fence, then get into the airport and on
to a plane, which sounds very bad indeed. It would be of concern to me if I was
a passenger using Prestwick." - David Capitanchik, a terrorism expert
ANTI-WAR protesters broke into Prestwick airport for a third night running,
prompting alarm among security experts that aircraft could be vulnerable to
terrorists.

This is all very worrying. If a bunch of hippies and old grannies can
fool Prestwick security, surely it can't be difficult for those far
more organised and with deadlier intent to do the same? Major review of
security at all UK airports needed, perhaps?

It is hardly surprising. Spotters seem to regularly be able to cut holes in
fences without detection - cutting holes to enter the field cannot be difficult
then?

I'd hardly blame the spotters for it. I get the impression they're as
cheesed off as the airport authorities about this, as the security
services are inclined to make their lives more difficult as a result.

[Jim Mason]

Post by Damian
I'd hardly blame the spotters for it. I get the impression they're as
cheesed off as the airport authorities about this, as the security
services are inclined to make their lives more difficult as a result.

That wasn't the point I was making. I wasn't blaming spotters - I was
suggesting that if `they` can cut holes in fences undetected then it should
come as no surprise `others` could cut entry holes undetected and make their
way airside.

Jim

[Damian]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Damian
I'd hardly blame the spotters for it. I get the impression they're as
cheesed off as the airport authorities about this, as the security
services are inclined to make their lives more difficult as a result.

That wasn't the point I was making. I wasn't blaming spotters - I was
suggesting that if `they` can cut holes in fences undetected then it should
come as no surprise `others` could cut entry holes undetected and make their
way airside.

I'm sure the majority of responsible spotters do not behave as you
suggest.

[Jim Mason]

Post by Damian

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Damian
I'd hardly blame the spotters for it. I get the impression they're as
cheesed off as the airport authorities about this, as the security
services are inclined to make their lives more difficult as a result.

That wasn't the point I was making. I wasn't blaming spotters - I was
suggesting that if `they` can cut holes in fences undetected then it should
come as no surprise `others` could cut entry holes undetected and make their
way airside.

I'm sure the majority of responsible spotters do not behave as you
suggest.

Christ you are being difficult this morning Damian. I am not suggesting all
spotters or the majority of spotters do such things. My point is that certain
spotters or anyone else for that matter are able to cut wholes in fences at
airports undetected. Any intereference with the boundary fence should be
detected exactly when it happens.

Jim

[Damian]

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Damian

Post by Jim Mason

Post by Damian
I'd hardly blame the spotters for it. I get the impression they're as
cheesed off as the airport authorities about this, as the security
services are inclined to make their lives more difficult as a result.

That wasn't the point I was making. I wasn't blaming spotters - I was
suggesting that if `they` can cut holes in fences undetected then it should
come as no surprise `others` could cut entry holes undetected and make their
way airside.

I'm sure the majority of responsible spotters do not behave as you
suggest.

Christ you are being difficult this morning Damian. I am not suggesting all
spotters or the majority of spotters do such things. My point is that certain
spotters or anyone else for that matter are able to cut wholes in fences at
airports undetected. Any intereference with the boundary fence should be
detected exactly when it happens.

Somebody got out of bed on the wrong side this morning, I see ;-)

I'm not being difficult at all, Jim, just having my say. FWIW, I agree
that the fence arrangements are far from ideal from a security point of
view and that something should be done.

[John Dundas]

Post by Damian
I'm not being difficult at all, Jim, just having my say. FWIW, I agree
that the fence arrangements are far from ideal from a security point of
view and that something should be done.

If you want a fence to be protect an area then the fence needs to be
at least 15t to 20ft in height. Covered in razor wire with 3 rolls of
razor on the other side to stop people dropping down or if they do at
least provide another hurdle for them to get past.

Also you would have to dig a trench around the fence area and fill it
with concrete so that folk cannot dig under the fence. The fence
itself would have to be made of the same stuff the Prison use or MOD
that is very hard to cut and even if you could cut it then it would
take a long time in doing so, which means more chance of detection.

You will then have to have cctv mounted at intervals along the fence
with no obstructions between each CCTV cam coverage area. Next you
will have to build in censors to the fence to detect large
movements/cuttings etc.

It would cost a fortune but its one of the only ways to put up a
proper security fence around a complex.

Oh then you will have to pay very good money to security men so that
they will do their job and actually give a dam, as well as employing
more folk to patrol the fence areas etc.

Its not an easy task at all, BUT, it can be done if the money is
available.

regards

[John Dundas]

Post by Damian
This is all very worrying. If a bunch of hippies and old grannies can
fool Prestwick security, surely it can't be difficult for those far
more organised and with deadlier intent to do the same? Major review of
security at all UK airports needed, perhaps?

Hi
These folk are not just a bunch of old hippies and grannies. These
folk are professional at what they do. They have had years of
experience at it, they also have the balls to do it. After all they
dont have a problem at all at trying to enter a highly secure area of
the Clyde Naval Base even with armed guards patrolling the areas.

You should see some of the things they have done in the past and it
would amaze you what some of these hippies and grannies get upto.

regards

[Damian]

Post by John Dundas
These folk are not just a bunch of old hippies and grannies. These
folk are professional at what they do. They have had years of
experience at it, they also have the balls to do it. After all they
dont have a problem at all at trying to enter a highly secure area of
the Clyde Naval Base even with armed guards patrolling the areas.
You should see some of the things they have done in the past and it
would amaze you what some of these hippies and grannies get upto.

Aye, they're well organised right enough. The grannies bring the flasks
of tea and the French fancies, and the hippies organise the joints ;-)

Seriously though, I know what you mean. The moderate protesters get
infiltrated by die-hard lunatics who've probably forgotten what it is
they're supposed to be protesting about - or at least it's secondary to
playing silly buggers with the authorities.

[tamthehun]

Post by Damian

Post by John Dundas
These folk are not just a bunch of old hippies and grannies. These
folk are professional at what they do. They have had years of
experience at it, they also have the balls to do it. After all they
dont have a problem at all at trying to enter a highly secure area of
the Clyde Naval Base even with armed guards patrolling the areas.
You should see some of the things they have done in the past and it
would amaze you what some of these hippies and grannies get upto.

Aye, they're well organised right enough. The grannies bring the flasks
of tea and the French fancies, and the hippies organise the joints ;-)
Seriously though, I know what you mean. The moderate protesters get
infiltrated by die-hard lunatics who've probably forgotten what it is
they're supposed to be protesting about - or at least it's secondary to
playing silly buggers with the authorities.

Maybe I'm missing something here - why dont the Americans lock up thier
planes at night?

tam the hun

[Damian]

Post by tamthehun

Post by Damian

Post by John Dundas
These folk are not just a bunch of old hippies and grannies. These
folk are professional at what they do. They have had years of
experience at it, they also have the balls to do it. After all they
dont have a problem at all at trying to enter a highly secure area of
the Clyde Naval Base even with armed guards patrolling the areas.
You should see some of the things they have done in the past and it
would amaze you what some of these hippies and grannies get upto.

Aye, they're well organised right enough. The grannies bring the flasks
of tea and the French fancies, and the hippies organise the joints ;-)
Seriously though, I know what you mean. The moderate protesters get
infiltrated by die-hard lunatics who've probably forgotten what it is
they're supposed to be protesting about - or at least it's secondary to
playing silly buggers with the authorities.

Maybe I'm missing something here - why dont the Americans lock up thier
planes at night?

Or they could lure the protesters on to the planes, seal up the door
and then announce to their 'passengers' that the flight time to
Guantanamo Bay will be 9 and a half hours!

[B]

Post by tamthehun

Post by Damian

Post by John Dundas
These folk are not just a bunch of old hippies and grannies. These
folk are professional at what they do. They have had years of
experience at it, they also have the balls to do it. After all they
dont have a problem at all at trying to enter a highly secure area of
the Clyde Naval Base even with armed guards patrolling the areas.
You should see some of the things they have done in the past and it
would amaze you what some of these hippies and grannies get upto.

Aye, they're well organised right enough. The grannies bring the flasks
of tea and the French fancies, and the hippies organise the joints ;-)
Seriously though, I know what you mean. The moderate protesters get
infiltrated by die-hard lunatics who've probably forgotten what it is
they're supposed to be protesting about - or at least it's secondary to
playing silly buggers with the authorities.

Maybe I'm missing something here - why dont the Americans lock up thier
planes at night?

There are no locks on (large) 'planes, that's why.

B

[honest man]

At least one of them was in the group that broke into shannon a couple
of years ago and damaged a usn c40 with hammers and were aquitted

Post by Damian

Post by John Dundas
These folk are not just a bunch of old hippies and grannies. These
folk are professional at what they do. They have had years of
experience at it, they also have the balls to do it. After all they
dont have a problem at all at trying to enter a highly secure area of
the Clyde Naval Base even with armed guards patrolling the areas.
You should see some of the things they have done in the past and it
would amaze you what some of these hippies and grannies get upto.

Aye, they're well organised right enough. The grannies bring the flasks
of tea and the French fancies, and the hippies organise the joints ;-)
Seriously though, I know what you mean. The moderate protesters get
infiltrated by die-hard lunatics who've probably forgotten what it is
they're supposed to be protesting about - or at least it's secondary to
playing silly buggers with the authorities.