AFTER an inquest heard claims that security at Bournemouth Airport was "non-existent", a Daily Echo reporter and photographer found they were free to wander among hangars like the one where Max Radford's helicopters were kept.

Dennis Radford, the father of the helicopter pilot, used this week's inquest to voice his fears about security at the airport.

He believes the authorities did not fully investigate the possibility that the Agusta 109E in which his son and millionaire Stephen Curtis died were sabotaged.

"The lack of security is such that had anybody wished to sabotage the aircraft, they would have had unchallenged and unrestricted access for that purpose," he told the coroner.

"I do not know whether the helicopter was sabotaged and clearly do not have the means or resources of carrying out an investigation into the possibility."

The Daily Echo decided to send a reporter and photographer to the airport to check out the security for ourselves.

We did not go near the main passenger terminal but were free to wander into some restricted areas without challenge.

Despite wandering around the premises of numerous companies based at the airport, we were not stopped once, despite approaching aircraft and taking photographs. Low, fragile fences were all that protected many of the craft and some gates were left wide open, allowing access to anyone who wanted it.

We walked into hangars full of planes, only to discover there was no one inside. In one of the hangars, the lone visible employee looked at us, then looked away.

Signs on gates and doors warned: "Caution. No unauthorised access - aircraft movement area ahead" and "Do not enter - authorised personnel only" but there was no one there to enforce the rules.

A spokesman for Bournemouth Airport said the companies based at the airport's business park were responsible for securing their own areas and had already been reminded of their obligations.

The spokesman added: "Passengers flying in and out of Bournemouth airport go through rigorous security checks - both within the terminal building and when boarding the aircraft - and at no time has the safety of this tightly-controlled area ever been compromised.

"However, we are extremely concerned and disappointed that some of the tenants on our business park - who have a responsibility for securing their own areas - do not appear to share our high standards and as a responsible landlord we will be taking immediate action to resolve this situation."

First published: November 3, 2005