Illegal Heathrow staff arrested

The illegal immigrants were allowed access to the planes right up to take-off, airport sources say

LONDON, England -- Police have arrested 15 illegal immigrants working in high-security zones at London Heathrow airport -- one of the world's busiest.

The arrests have sparked fears of security loopholes at the airport just as the world prepares to mark the first anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

Nine of the 15 have been deported, two have been charged with stolen passport offences and four were released without charge, police told CNN.

The arrests were part of an ongoing operation by airport police, immigration officers and British Airports Authority (BAA) and more arrests are expected.

Police said a cleaning company was helping them with inquiries.

Conservative MP David Wilshire, who represents some of the area bordering the airport, told The Daily Mirror newspaper: "This is serious, important and very worrying."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said on Wednesday: "It was an operation that happened on August 21 during which the airport police and immigration services arrested 15 people for immigration and deception offences."

The spokesman said the operation focused on one airport cleaning company who were now assisting police with their investigation.

A BAA statement said the arrests had come about because of an audit of workers' documents as part of stepped up procedures following last year's September 11 attacks.

"As a result of tightened procedures introduced by BAA in recent months, BAA staff raised concerns about the employment documentation of a number of airport workers to police and the Immigration Service.

"The allegations related to immigration and illegal working matters. This led to the police and Immigration Service operation, supported by BAA, which resulted in a number of arrests and subsequent deportations.

"There was evidence to suggest these workers may have been granted permission to work in the UK under false documentation."

BAA said it was unclear whether they had represented a security threat.

"A number would have had access to restricted areas, but we are not aware of any evidence to suggest that they posed any security threat. All airport staff are subject to thorough searching every time they enter any secure areas."

The statement added that procedures for the issue of airside security passes had been strengthened recently.

"Individual companies are responsible for the people they employ and submitting an application for an airside pass with appropriate documentation, references and proof of identity.

"Under tightened measures introduced in recent months BAA staff are then responsible for further auditing of the applications before issuing an airside pass."