their income through theft. Of greater concern is evidence that confirms there are organised crime rings (some with gang affiliations) that coordinate this activity and maintain it through coercion and intimidation of airport workers. Certain policies and regulations play nicely into the hands of criminals. When being told to not lock your baggage or to use only certain approved locks, we can easily predict the results. Those approved locks by the way are easily circumvented... instructions can be found on YouTube and elsewhere, not to mention how many of those special master keys remain unaccounted for.
As the number of air travellers is
predicted to grow and as we see more individuals with disposable income from developing countries take to the air, so too will this theft plague worsen. We need a better system of reporting and analysing; we need to define responsibility; we need to identify where the goods go; we need to better use technology; we need a stronger system to allow prosecution; we need to deny access to past offenders; and the list goes on. It requires without doubt a multi-
faceted approach. We have done a good job on focusing our attention on what enters the sterile areas; we now also need to focus on what exits the sterile areas.
It is time to take a long hard look at this issue on a global scale. At best, theft at airports damages the credibility of aviation security. At worst it demonstrates the weakness of the system which has and will continue to lead to more serious crimes. Someone with access willing to take something out may be just as willing to put something in for a price. Call it what you will, but it is an insider threat and as aviation security practitioners we have an obligation to recognise the threat and address it more forcefully than ever before.
While we wait for a ‘pilferage czar’ to come forward and lead an initiative on a global perspective, consider addressing it locally. Working with a major carrier at a large US airport, we were able to reduce the theft by more than 60% with the introduction of some enhanced security measures specifically designed to combat the threat. It can be done!
“...while we wait for a ‘pilferage czar’ to come forward and lead an initiative on a global perspective, consider addressing it locally...”
Oh...and about those boots.
Knowing full well the vagaries of air travel, I am not naïve enough to put anything of ‘value’ in my checked bags, but I too became a victim. On a recent flight I had a pair of rather expensive hiking boots ‘walk’ from my suitcase inexplicably. Chalk one up for the bad guys, but know ye all men that I have my own database up and running!
Victor Anderes is Executive Vice President of Global Elite Group. He previously held senior management positions in airline corporate security and now heads the company's service delivery to more than 30 major airlines.
Threat Assessments & Security Audits Terminal Access Control & Document Verification Aircraft & Ramp Security Catering & Duty Free Security Cargo, Mail and Courier Shipment Security Baggage Guarding & Escorting Passenger & Baggage Screening (Private Charter) Ticket Fraud Identification & Investigations Deportee Escorts AVSEC Training Automated Profiling Systems Mobile Access Control Systems
Phone: +1-516-414-0487 Fax: +1-516-414-0488
AVSEC@globalsecurity.aero www.globaleliteinc.com
Sign up for our AVSEC Newsletter
17 Offices...6 Countries 1 Global Solution
Your global security partner delivering quality solutions worldwide February 2013 Aviationsecurityinternational
www.asi-mag.com 15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48