A Farewell To Arms
Last updated: 11/09/2006 - 16:51
A new initiative is reminding holidaymakers not to bring anything that could be used – or misconstrued - as a weapon back from abroad.
It’s a sad fact but ‘ornamental’ swords, survival knives, ‘ninja’ throwing stars and knuckle-dusters are just some of the potentially lethal weapons UK Customs officers confiscate from tourists every year.
Hundreds of travellers bring forbidden weapons back from holiday as souvenirs - only to say ‘adios’ to them when they arrive. At Glasgow Airport a new initiative, spearheaded by Strathclyde Police and Customs, urges holidaymakers not to bring weapons back into the country.
Billboards and posters highlighting the initiative have been strategically placed throughout Glasgow Airport, warning travellers that found weapons will be confiscated. Surrendering the weapons is offered as an alternative to prosecution and owners are asked to sign a disclaimer form.
Offensive Weapons
During the 12 month period 1 April 2002 - 31 March 2003 police and Customs' officers recovered over 350 offensive weapons at Glasgow Airport alone. These include knives, butterfly knives, ornamental swords, flick knives, knuckle dusters, versions of ‘Shuriken’ throwing stars and blow pipes used for firing pellets. Other items seized include CS Gas sprays and martial arts equipment such as fighting chain weapons, spiked neck collars and US Police style automatic extending batons. Airport security in the city has also seized 172 toy, imitation or replica guns from passengers heading out of the country. Anything that has the appearance of a gun cannot be carried on board and will be confiscated.
Assistant Chief Constable Ricky Gray (Operations) said: "It is our responsibility to work closely with Customs and Airport Security to ensure that weapons are not smuggled in to the country to find their way onto our streets.
"Ornamental swords are very popular, especially with collectors, while fantasy knives, similar to those used by action heroes and in popular computer games, appeal to the younger generation. These weapons are easily bought in countries such as Spain and Portugal, however, in Scotland they are considered to be offensive weapons and potentially dangerous. Most people do not intend any harm when they buy the weapons, but we have to consider the consequences of these weapons falling into the wrong hands. They could prove fatal.
"By highlighting the problem through posters and information, we hope to get the message across that if you try to bring one of these dangerous weapons back from holiday, it will be taken from you. So don’t waste your money, and save yourself the embarrassment and disappointment of having your souvenir confiscated when you get home."
Dave Clark, Customs’ Head of Detection Scotland said: "It is Customs’ responsibility to prevent the entry of firearms, explosives, ammunition and all manner of bladed weapons into the country. We seize these potentially lethal items regularly, along with combat chains, extending metal coshes and multi-pointed death stars from the Far East. The public should be warned that anyone caught trying to bring back offensive weapons will have their details passed to the police for intelligence purposes."
Under the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act (1995) Section 49, a person is guilty of an offence if they are carrying a blade or a sharpened object in a public place. In addition, the smuggling of dangerous weapons is illegal and Customs will seize them under the Customs & Excise Management Act (1979).