‘Cases of baggage theft at Delhi airport lowest in 2017’
While employees involved in baggage theft were booked, in some instances, cases under section 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) were filed against the airlines.
SANJAY BHATIA, DCP (airport)
NEW DELHI: In 2017, Delhi airport witnessed the lowest number of baggage-theft cases in seven years, said airport security officials.
This is because both the Delhi Police and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) conducted several meetings with airlines last year to warn them of criminal action in case a passenger’s bag is tampered with, said an official.
While the police warned airlines of criminal action, the CISF increased vigil at baggage makeup area to catch employees tampering with bags.
Last year, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) witnessed only 24 cases of baggage theft as against 32 in 2016 and 42 in 2015.
“We want to bring it down to zero and have continued our efforts towards that,” DCP (airport) Sanjay Bhatia said, adding, “The airport staff often pilferage costly items from checked-in bags and sometimes damage the bag. While the employees responsible for a theft were booked, in some instances, cases under section 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) were filed against the airlines following which they took stricter measures which curbed the thefts.”
CISF’S director general OP Singh also held a meeting with airlines to discuss security related issues of the airport.
It has been found that staff of ground handling companies that load/unload bags in the aircraft are often found involved in thefts.
The baggage handling area of the airport has emerged as the most vulnerable point where valuable items of travellers are stolen by airport employees.
“CISF raised concerns on security-related issues with the representatives of airlines and urged everyone to come up with their expectations/suggestions for a better flying experience of passengers.thefts from registered baggage and cargo areas were increasing and they were told about the need for proper manual and CCTV surveillance at these areas,” Singh said.
The airlines have also started frisking every staff member before they leave the airport and in some cases, stolen items were recovered.
Airport employees have also been asked to submit their Airport Entry Pass (AEP) before they leave for home. The CISF will also create a database of airport employees so that repeated offenders get blacklisted.
“We have also asked the airline staff to keep a strict vigil on the process of loading/ unloading of baggage to the aircraft to ensure the bags are not tampered with. Airlines are also being asked to share every complaint of theft with us,” a CISF official said.
Bureau for Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has also prepared guidelines related to airport security and they had recently requested the police to keep them updated about theft cases.