Printer toner bomb plot forces flights rule change
The Home Secretary, Theresa May MP, has announced new restrictions on large printer cartridges being brought into the UK by air.
The clampdown follows the discovery by intelligence services of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) packed inside toner cartridges. The bombs has been sent by air freight to destinations in USA – one of them was discovered at East Midlands Airport en route to Chicago.
Ms May told the House of Commons on Monday that the explosive devices had been sent from Yemen.
She announced emergency measures in response to the toner cartridge bomb plot, including:
- Suspension of the carriage of toner cartridges larger than 500g in passengers’ hand baggage on flights departing from UK airports
- Prohibition of the carriage of these items by air cargo into, via or from the UK unless they originate from a known consignor – a regular shipper with security arrangements approved by the Department for Transport
The restrictions on printer cartridges, one of the most commonly ordered of all office supplies, came into force at midnight and will last for one month.
Other restrictions in response to the plot can be found on the Home Office website.