Fake terrorists smuggle knives and fake bombs and guns through busiest UK cruise port
GUNS, knives and imitation bombs were smuggled on to ships at Britain’s busiest cruise port by undercover investigators.
They exposed shocking security flaws at Southampton docks where 1.7million passengers set sail every year.
A confidential report, seen by The Sun, revealed 16 knives, eight imitation IEDs and four imitation pistols were sneaked into terminals by investigators posing as terrorists.
They were missed despite airport-style scanner arches, detection wands, pat-down searches and luggage X-ray machines.
A fake IED left in a toilet cubicle was missed by a cleaner.
Investigators carrying weapons and fake IDs were let into restricted areas without challenge.
There are also claims the report has been buried and its recommendations not referred to the Department for Transport.
Cruises are becoming increasingly popular with the younger generation — who are more likely to be recruited by terror groups.
An insider said: “It chills me to the bone that so much gets through.
“If just one terrorist gets on a cruise liner with a bomb or gun there is nothing you could do to stop them from killing everyone.
“Nothing has been done since this report and security is still failing. Something will go horribly wrong one day.”
The report said: “What became apparent was that a large proportion of guards would have difficulty in preventing a hostile attack or chasing down an assailant.”
Associated British Ports (ABP) runs Southampton’s four terminals — Mayflower, Ocean, QE2 and City — and has a £3.7million-a-year contract with Profile Security Services.
Major firms including P&O, Cunard and Royal Caribbean all dock there, with liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Britannia regular visitors.
ABP drafted in Consultancy Company to carry out a two-day test of Profile Security Services last July.
Teams used fake IDs and disguises to access areas which should be on lockdown while ships are docked.
Investigators posed as passengers with knives taped on their back or ankles. Guns and IEDs in luggage passed through X-ray machines.
All nine attempts to get into restricted areas were successful.
And 81 per cent of weapons were not detected. Security doors at QE2 were left unlocked.
Teams were also able to tailgate staff into secure areas.
The passenger manifest could be read by the investigators.
One copied details from another passenger to fill out their luggage label.
The holdall then passed through X-ray without an IED and knife getting spotted.
Even when guards found weapons they failed to prevent them getting through.
The report said: “When a pistol was discovered in Mayflower Terminal, X-ray operators allowed the suspect bag to exit machines and travel to the end of the escalator where the undercover operative seized the item.”
A security barrier remained open on both days, and the team was not challenged despite changing into their disguises including cargo loaders’ outfits and hi-vis jackets in a car park.
Contractor visitor logs were left unattended with names, company, position and signature on view.
The report said: “These could be used to create fake ID cards, authorisation letters and cover stories.”
Report authors said the failure rate would have been higher if staff had not been tipped off by a boss during the operation.
The report said of guards: “It is believed they either lack the moral fibre to challenge suspicious behaviour, or are completely oblivious to what is going on around them.”
It said they placed too much emphasis on customer satisfaction, and not enough on dealing with suspicious activity.
The report concludes: “To be totally transparent, ABP Southampton should consider sharing the findings of this report with the Department for Transport and request their guidance, intervention and inspection”.
It is not known if the Government has been warned of the security flaws.
Profile Security Services was set up by ex-Army officer Martin McGowan-Scanlon.
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He declined to comment. Latest accounts show the firm has a £37million turnover.
Security consultant Will Geddes said: “This has raised some serious questions about their operators.
“For one reason or another security staff have missed the lot.
“They are either under-trained or over-loaded operators, who have said either ‘I don’t have time’, ‘I don’t know what I’m looking at’ or ‘I don’t really care’.
“They have got to up their game and improve the security.”
Associated British Ports said: “Security systems are rigorously, continuously and independently tested.
We continue to work closely with public authorities and agencies to make sure security provision is robust.”
The Department for Transport said: “We cannot comment on specific details of security arrangements at ports for obvious reasons. But any potential breach is taken very seriously and investigated.”