Family outraged after kids’ STAR WARS lightsabers confiscated at UK airport

A family is baffled about their experience travelling through security at East Midlands Airport. 

Nicholas Allsop was in transit with his wife Anja and two children, Stephan (5) and Charlotte (7). 

The children each had a plastic lightsaber - given to them by their aunt for Christmas. 

But the presents weren’t in their hands for long - airport security confiscated them before they could get on their flight. 

Nicholas thinks confiscating the £50 gifts is a case of "airport security gone mad”. 

The 40-year-old engineer said: "When they scanned and opened up the bag at the airport security I was joking about it, saying 'oh that'll be the lightsabers'. 

“We had joked before, saying 'I hope it's not classed as a weapon'.

"Then I couldn't believe it when they said that they weren't allowed on as they were dangerous and we had to leave them behind. Stephan immediately started crying.”

Nicholas said security told him the lightsabers were classed as fake weapons, which the dad branded as “ridiculous”. 

He said: “When you look online, there is a big contingency of Star Wars fans, and they take them on board no problem.

"At first they said it was a type of fake sword, and then that it could be used to intimidate on old lady - the same old lady that is probably armed with a solid walking stick.

"Everyone we tell the story to can't believe it, and although in principle it is good to have strict security, it actually makes me feel less safe when the security staff are clearly not able to make common sense judgements."

The family were on their way home from visiting Nicholas’ mum and sister in Loughborough. 

Nicholas has since sent a letter of complaint to the airport. 

Originally from Hull, he and his family have lived in Germany for the past 13 years and had to pay €70 to replace the Star Wars toys for their children.  

A spokesperson for East Midlands Airport told Express.co.uk: ”The safety and security of our passengers is our first priority and all regulations on security are set by the Government. Any decision taken with regards to items included as carry on luggage is made with the safety and security of our passengers in mind. We would however like to apologise for any inconvenience caused when items such as these are not permitted through security. 

"We always make the very best of effort to reunite passengers with any items that they are not permitted to carry as hand luggage; including checking items in, holding until collected or where possible posting the item to a home address."   

This week the director of the eighth Star Wars instalment revealed plot details about the film ahead of its release in December.