Nearly 1,000 crimes committed in and around Scottish airports
Almost 1,000 crimes have been committed in and around Scottish airports in the past two years – including thefts, assaults and drugs and weapons offences.
As the summer holidays get underway, new Police Scotland figures show 983 incidents were reported at or outside Scotland’s 14 airports during 2021 and 2022.
There were 122 thefts, 27 assaults – seven of which were of emergency workers – as well as 38 offences relating to drugs – mainly possession – six incidents involving weapons, and three of fire raising at Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh airports.
Edinburgh is Scotland’s busiest airport, with more than 11.2 million passengers last year compared with around 6.5 million in Glasgow.
However, the statistics reveal 719 crimes were committed in and around Glasgow – about 14 times higher than the 51 recorded for Edinburgh.
There were also 136 reports logged in Aberdeen, and 42 at Glasgow Prestwick.
The overall police data also includes incidents that happened outside terminal buildings and covers a large number of motoring offences such as speeding, drink and drug-driving, and driving carelessly, while disqualified or without a licence.
The figures were published on Tuesday (July 4) in the July edition of 1919 Magazine.
A spokesperson for AGS Airports, which owns and operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton Airports, said it operates a “zero-tolerance approach” to all types of disruptive behaviour.
He told 1919 Magazine: “The airport experience is where the holiday begins for many passengers travelling during the summer season and there’s nothing wrong with that.
“Millions of people who pass through our airports each year and do so without incident thanks to our industry-leading Campus Watch initiative, which has been in operation for ten years.
“In the event of a potentially disruptive situation, the thousands of people employed across the airports operate on a ‘Spot It, Share It, Stop It’ to initiate any required action.
“While instances of this type of behaviour continues to be extremely rare, we will also continue to operate a zero-tolerance approach to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and staff.
“We ask passengers that if you encounter a situation like this, please alert a member of the team.”
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “We work closely with Police Scotland to deter and report any incidents that arise in and around the campus.
“While the vast majority of passengers do act responsibly, we remind everyone that we have a zero-tolerance approach to any criminal activity and the relevant authorities will act when and where appropriate.”