Edinburgh Airport has taken the unusual move of banning passengers from wearing jewellery that resembles offensive weapons.
The new guidelines mean that anyone sporting fashion accessories shaped like knuckledusters, buckle-knives or replica guns will be forced to relinquish them at security gates.
Critics have labelled the ‘ban on bling’ a sensationalist, knee-jerk reaction to valid security concerns, but airport authorities insist the measure will indeed heighten aircraft safety.
Commenting on a spate of recent incidents in which Lothian and Borders Police became involved, inspector Gary Dickson noted that such accessories pose a risk and also waste police time.
“My officers have been called to several incidents recently at the terminal’s central search area where articles worn by passengers have been identified as modified weapons and led to the police being involved,” he commented.
Mr Dickson added: “We want people to enjoy their travelling experience at Edinburgh Airport, but in this era of heightened security, passengers would be ill-advised to wear or carry items which resemble weapons.”
In related news, the airport recently published new long-term development plans earmarking 25.5 hectares of additional land outside its current boundary.
