Knife gets through security

Photo / Thinkstock

A lawyer has criticised security at Auckland airport after screening staff failed to find a knife she had forgotten to remove from her handbag.

Jane Northwood flew to Christchurch with a 25cm knife with a "super-sharp" 10cm blade she used for her lunch. It was picked up at Christchurch as she prepared for the return flight.

"I was quite shocked that I could go right through Auckland security and yet the knife was not located in a small ladies' handbag."

Last week, the Herald on Sunday reported that a Christchurch aviation security officer was stood down after allowing a passenger to carry a case of boxcutter blades on to a plane. It was among scores of security breaches at New Zealand airports last year, including the discovery of a loaded handgun in the luggage of an international traveller arriving at Auckland.

The Aviation Security Service has reviewed its rostering system so tired staff are not doing critical duties, such as screening, at the end of their shift.

Chief operating officer Chris Tosswill said items were missed occasionally in the screening process.

"Potentially this knife could have been missed because it was not clearly seen in the X-ray image.

"We are screening 20 million bags a year ... The number of failures compared to the number of bags is extremely low."