“We see that bomb reports are being done by young and old,” explains Van de Zandschulp. “At the check-in counter, at the security, but also by telephone or via e-mail. Fortunately they are always false bomb reports. We see that they are often jokes, or that people get frustrated by the process.”
No jokes
“Apparently there are many people who like to call ‘We have a bomb in the luggage’, but we take that very seriously,” says Mayor Marianne Schuurmans of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. “Schiphol is a safety risk area, which means that you have a high threat level at an airport.”
The Marechaussee therefore immediately takes action with every message. “We take all scenarios into account, which is why we always use people and equipment well. That can be with an explosives exploratory dog,” explains Van de Zandschulp van de Kmar.
Great impact
“I’m really worried about that,” says Mayor Schuurmans. “It means a lot for the capacity of the Marechaussee, and it is really needed elsewhere at Schiphol.”