Unprecedented security levels at Liverpool Airport

Jul 4 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

An armed police officer on patrol at Liverpool John Lennon Airport

DAILY Post reporter Caroline Innes was among those travelling under unprecedented security levels at Liverpool Airport this week

WHILE staff at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport last night maintained a cool air of business as usual, there was no escaping the heightened level of security caused by the weekend’s terror scares.

Police patrols manned roundabouts and roads around the airport to scan vehicles for suspicious behaviour.

And outside the terminal dozens of police cars and officers guarded the entrance.

Mobile incident rooms were set up by Merseyside police to act both as a base for the deployed officers and also as a place where anxious passengers could seek information and advice.

Once inside, travellers were greeted by the imposing sight of a large number of armed police who patrolled the departure area with sniffer dogs.

Although nerves were stretched, holidaymakers remained calm and after major disruptions on Saturday and Sunday most flights were back running to schedule.

Chris Barker, a photographer from Prescot, was flying to Limoges.

He said: “I didn’t feel nervous about flying as the police seemed to have everything under control.

“It was a reassuring sight to see so many armed officers. The people behind these attacks want to cause disruption do were determined to fulfil our plans and fly.”

Kevin Hegarty, from Rainhill, said: “I was surprised that our flight took off on time. Staff did a great job of getting passengers away on schedule.

“It was reassuring to see the way the police responded to the scare. The presence and the way they dealt with the situation was very impressive.”