US ordered to tighten airport security after scanners fail to spot fake bomb
A top US official has ordered a tightening of airport security after undercover officers were able to successfully smuggle fake explosives through checkpoints in 67 out of 70 attempts.
In one test, an agent from Homeland Security managed to walk through security with a fake bomb taped to his back. The package wasn’t detected by a screener, even though he patted the man down.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson ordered further security measures to be put in place as a result of the tests, which take place at US airports nationwide on a regular basis.
"Upon learning the initial findings of the Office of Inspector General’s report, Secretary Johnson immediately directed TSA [the Transporation Security Administration] to implement a series of actions, several of which are now in place, to address the issues raised in the report," Homeland Security told ABC News.
Meanwhile, the acting director of the TSA has been removed from his post. Secretary Johnson said Melvin Carraway has been reassigned to another post at the Department ‘with immediate effect.’
"I thank Melvin Carraway for his eleven years of service to TSA and his 36 years of public service," Johnson said in the statement.
He will be replaced by Mark Hatfield in the interim, until the likely appointment of Coast Guard Vice Admiral Pete Neffenger, who was nominated for the permanent post by President Barack Obama earlier this year.
Johnson said unannounced covert testing of TSA screening standards at the nation’s airports would continue.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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