Airport staff frisk boy of four over toy gun in hand luggage
A BOY of four was frisked and had his toy Nerf gun confiscated before boarding a plane because it was deemed a security risk.
James Hayward had arrived at East Midlands Airport with his parents, Phil, 44, and Hazel, 38, for their trip to Lanzarote.
But when his toy – which fires sponge darts – was picked up on an X-ray of his hand luggage, security officials demanded he hand it over. They then frisked James, from Doncaster, before he was allowed through security.
Mr Hayward, a software engineer, said: ‘Fair enough they are thorough but it just seemed a bit ludicrous to take a plastic gun away from a four-year-old. I thought it was a bit overzealous of the security staff.’
An airport spokesman said: ‘Safety is our priority. No items may be permitted through security that resemble a prohibited item.’