Children 'devastated' after Easter eggs smashed at Bristol Airport security

Updated
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Airport staff have apologised after Easter eggs belonging to two young children were damaged during a security check, leaving them 'devastated'.

The youngsters were returning home to Italy after visiting their grandfather, Tony Marsland, in Cornwall when a security officer at Bristol International Airport searched their bags.

Mr Marsland's daughter, Natalie Marsland-Coniglione, had returned to Coverack in Cornwall with her daughters, five-year-old Maya and Ocean, two, to visit their family.

During an Easter egg hunt with their grandfather, the girls collected six Easter eggs which they planned to take home.

But during a search the eggs were pierced by a security officer.

The airport has since apologised and will be sending the sisters replacement Easter eggs.

Mr Marsland told BBC Radio Cornwall: "In this day and age because of the minority, the majority now have to go through more stringent checks at airports and that I have no issue with.

"I think it is nice for all of us to know we are flying safely.

"The children's backpacks were taken from them and searched quite robustly and finally when they got free of this real grilling and walked through into the lounge departure area Maya opened up her bag and said 'Mummy, all my Easter eggs have been broken'.

"Maya was absolutely devastated and said 'Mummy, a man's broken all my Easter eggs'.

"It would appear what happened was that the hand has gone into the bag and it would appear a thumb has been pushed on and pressurised to see if they were solid or hollow."

Mr Marsland added: "I understand why security checks are required but I have to say that this day and age security checks need to be made with a little bit of a smile, particularly when small children are involved."

Airport spokeswoman Jacqui Mills said: "I wish to apologise.

"Our teams in security are highly trained and they should not have dealt with two children in an aggressive way or any passenger in an aggressive way.

"The guard should have dealt with it a little bit more sensitively and checked the bag and should not be damaging eggs.

"This is the first situation we have heard of in years where children's eggs have been broken. We will send Easter eggs to the children."




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