Sodexo, a company that supplies airline lounge services, has suspended the airside security passes of 300 employees during the investigation as a ‘precautionary measure’, according to Sky News. The employees affected are believed to be mainly cleaners and caterers.
Newsweek is reporting the investigation was launched on July 28 after police questioned two female suspects on allegations of fraud and money laundering. The two Surrey women, ages 20 and 24 were later arrested on August 3. The women, released on bail until late November, are believed to be airport employees.
Scotland Yard will not reveal the details of the scam, but does say the investigation does not involve terrorism or the selling or cloning of passes. It is thought that many of the 70,000 employees working at Heathrow Airport are issued airside security passes
Employees that receive permanent or temporary airside security passes after a strict vetting process include flight crews, baggage handlers, shop and restaurant staff, hangar and ramp workers, cargo and security employees.
The arrests of the two women and the investigation into the airside security passes have raised some troubling questions about criminal activities and security at the airport. Tensions remain high across Europe after the string of recent terrorist attacks.
Kevin Hurley, the former head of counter-terrorism at the City of London Police, told Sky News: “It could be used to get close up to some of the high-value cargo areas and of course we have already had the Brink’s Mat saga here once before.”
“Billions go through this airport every year. But the real issue is the threat in terms of airport security; this is a potentially serious breach for Heathrow Airport.”
A representative for Heathrow said: “We can’t comment on the specifics of an ongoing police investigation,” According to News.com.au, “Our top priority is the security and safety of our passengers and colleagues and we have taken appropriate action until the investigation is completed.”
