Securicor ADI refutes Times report on Heathrow security

Airport security contractor Securicor ADI has lodged a successful protest with the Press Complaints Commission following an article in The Times alleging that some of its security officers are being allowed to work in "highly sensitive posts" at Heathrow without the necessary clearances.

The report – entitled 'Security failures put Heathrow at risk' – appeared on the front page of The Times dated Tuesday 16 October. It stated: "As security is stepped up at airports across the world, the responsibility for searching passengers, screening luggage and searching aircraft at Heathrow is being handed to individuals whose backgrounds have not been fully checked. This week, at least 38 security guards due to work at the airport for Securicor ADI will not have been vetted."

Times reporters alleged that the contractor – which also holds contracts at Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester Airports – had appointed a man from Afghanistan to a sensitive post at Heathrow without conducting the necessary counter-terrorist checks (CTC).

In an official press statement, Securicor ADI responded: "Securicor ADI takes aviation security and staff screening extremely seriously, and complies with all Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) guidelines. Under these guidelines, personnel can operate airside without having been CTC cleared – if they are working under the supervision of an individual who has passed through the DTLR's CTC, or without supervision if they are not carrying out security duties."

The statement continued: "The DTLR and our airline partners regularly review Securicor ADI at all the UK airport locations at which it operates. We continue to have nothing but positive feedback on our performance."

The company felt that The Times report was "unbalanced", and therefore lodged a complaint. The Times was then forced to print an apology two days later.

The apology read: "In early editions on Wednesday 17 October, under the headline "Byers holds enquiry into Heathrow security", we made a number of references to the performance of Securicor ADI, which contained material implying that the company had breached DTLR security guidelines. In later editions, these were updated with a statement from Securicor ADI making it clear that it takes aviation security and staff screening very seriously, and complies with all DTLR security guidelines. We regret not recording this in earlier editions."

Securicor ADI is the largest provider of aviation security in the world. Operating security services at 19 of the UK's 24 biggest airports, the company employs 6,000 staff.

In addition to its British Airways contracts, Securicor ADI also handles hold baggage screening for every airline flying out of Heathrow with the exception of El Al.

At Heathrow, the contractor also guards planes for British Airways and United Airlines.