Never mind the nail files and scissors inadvertently left in your carry-on bag – police have this year seized more than 2000 weapons at Australian airports.
The Australian Federal Police – who patrol airports – on Tuesday released photographs of some of the 2355 seized weapons found in bags and on people at the country's nine major airports for the year. The tally is up on last year when 2260 weapons were found. Almost 600 of this year's haul were discovered at Tullamarine airport in Melbourne.
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Police are warning people not to bring weapons or unruly behaviour to the airport this Christmas, with more than 2000 weapons seized at major airports in the past financial year.
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Christmas warning for airport travel
Police are warning people not to bring weapons or unruly behaviour to the airport this Christmas, with more than 2000 weapons seized at major airports in the past financial year.
The weapons found this year included this BB air sport handgun.
And also this hunting knife.
They also found pepper spray.
And knuckle dusters.
AFP Assistant Commissioner David Sharpe said instances of seized weapons and other unlawful behaviour at airports always rose through December and January.
"While the high number of weapon seizures demonstrates the effectiveness of Australian airport security screening processes, it also demonstrates the incorrect assumptions that these items are not dangerous or illegal," he said. "Prohibited weapons, including credit card knives, have no place in the airport."
Mr Sharpe said unruly, violent or offensive aircraft passengers in airports were also a menace.
"It is disappointing that [airport staff] have to restrain violent passengers, and even be abused or assaulted when trying to do their jobs," he said. "Police will take action against any unruly behaviour or prohibited items seized at the airports, so don't ruin your or your family's holiday before it even begins."
What not to do: Police released this staged picture of a passenger.
And also this staged picture of a fight in an airport terminal
Police are also concerned about people making false or threatening statements, such as bomb threats, at airport security points. But the number of times this happens at the nine main airports is falling, with 88 reported this year compared to 1087 last year. Only 15 of the 88 were in Melbourne.
Airlines can also impose their own charges or bans on people smuggling weapons, making threats or acting in an unruly way. They can also recover the costs associated with any flight diversions.
The maximum penalty for carrying a prohibited weapon through an airport screening point is $18,000. Threats regarding aviation security can carry a fine of $9000. Interfering with an aircraft or the crew of an aircraft can lead to two years' jail.