Airport retailers say they cannot recruit enough staff to cover the busy summer period because it is taking too long to vet them.

New security systems implemented as a counter terrorism measure mean everyone who works at Gatwick must be cleared by the criminal records agency in Scotland before they can be issued with an airside pass.

Staff there say they are turning round the applications for checks in ten days but store managers at the airport claim it is taking much longer and affecting their trade.

The security vetting implemented by the Department for Transport began on July 1 and airports have a year to comply and ensure that all staff have been vetted.

One of the retail employers at the airport says it is proving difficult to recruit staff under the new regime.

Applicants must have at least five years' worth of references and must not have worked in more than three separate companies.

The employer, who asked not to be named, said this was proving a nightmare.

He said: "Traditionally we take on more staff to cover the busy summer period but this is causing untold delays.

"Everyone has to be cleared before we can submit to BAA for an airside pass and it is taking an eternity. I don't think we will get the staff we want in place before it is much too late."

The vetting procedure has been branded 'draconian' by union officials who say they are lobbying to have the conditions relaxed.

Frank Minal, union official for the GMB at Gatwick, which has security staff and retail employees on its books, said: "It is clear the new system is draconian and is taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

"We are all for better security measures because it means the airport is a safer place for our members to work but we are pursuing the DfT for some kind of relaxation of the code as it stands."

Thursday August 7, 2003