Man treated "like a terrorist" over £560

A taxi driver was held at an airport by police who feared he was a terrorist because he had £560 in his pocket.

Darryl Dawson, 49, was in the departure lounge at Blackpool airport with partner Lauren Anderson when police stopped him.

"I was sitting drinking a coffee when I was tapped on the shoulder and asked to go and speak to officers. I did and again told them they could count the money if they wished, but I thought it was around £600 or £700. I was then taken to another room and interviewed. I offered to count the cash in front of him and I did do, and I had £560," he said.



"They started asking me if I knew what had been happening in Glasgow and if I knew how much money it would cost to make a bomb! I couldn't believe it. It went on and things were getting more heated. My partner was left just waiting with no one telling her what was going on. By this time it was 8.35 and the flight was due to leave at 8.50."

"The officer said to me 'I may let you on this flight and I may not.' Eventually they said I could fly and gave me a leaflet about terrorism. I didn't want to get on the flight then, I was so worked up."

Det Insp Howard Riley of Lancashire Police's ports unit said he could not comment on Mr Dawson's case, but added: "It's all about maintaining the safety of the travelling public. We are trying to stop money laundering, human trafficking and terrorism and have the right to question people."