A Gatwick security worker has been jailed for stealing goods worth thousands of pounds from holidaymakers' luggage.

Emanuel Vasconcelos, 28, was among 11 workers arrested after an undercover operation at the airport earlier this year.

He and his brother Joao Vasconcelos, 24, broke zips and locks to plunder suitcases.

Concealed cameras caught them rummaging though bags they were meant to X-ray for hidden bombs and weapons in a final check before they were loaded on to aircraft.

Emanuel Vasconcelos, of Cuckfield Close, Crawley, admitted one charge of theft and asked for 15 similar incidents to be taken into consideration.

He was jailed for 17 months when he appeared for sentence at Hove Crown Court yesterday.

Beverley Cherrill, prosecuting, said: "British Airways started the covert investigation after increasing numbers of thefts were reported from passengers' bags.

"There are three levels of security at the airport. The first is at check-in, where passengers are asked about their luggage.

"The second is carried out on the conveyor belt where bags are X-rayed and the third is a more severe X-ray carried out away from passengers to check for firearms or explosives.

"Three hidden cameras were installed in the final check area and in November the theft of a camera was reported by a passenger from his luggage. The security cameras were checked and Vasconcelos was seen searching the bag and taking a camera from it.

"This was a grave breach of trust because his role was to protect passengers and not to steal from them."

Jeffrey Lamb, defending, said: "There was a climate of dishonesty among some of these workers. They saw other people were stealing and were getting away with it.

"He is aware that he faces a custodial sentence and accepts responsibility for all of these offences."

Judge Cedric Joseph said: "Theft by people employed at the airport in positions of trust undermines the confidence of the travelling public.

"Employed as you were as a security guard at the airport, you are guilty of a really serious breach of trust."

Joao Vasconcelos, of Pyecombe Court, Bewbush, Crawley, was jailed for 16 months when he was sentenced on Friday.

Luis Coelho, 26, of Rother Crescent, Gossops Green, Crawley, a third Gatwick worker caught by the undercover operation, was jailed for 18 months.

They worked for Initial Aviation Security and were arrested after more than 120 Sussex Police officers raided addresses near the airport and seized goods worth up to £100,000 on March 2.

Coelho admitted taking a ring, watches and a camera worth a total of £3,530 from one bag alone.