Manchester Airport scare

Tests have confirmed that a white powder found at Manchester Airport was harmless.

At 12.55pm on Saturday 23 January 2010, police were called to the airport after security staff at the check-in desk of Terminal Three discovered a man had the powder in a container that was stored in his hand luggage.

Other containers of the same substance were recovered from his main luggage.

As a precaution, the check-in desk was cordoned off while forensic tests on the substance were carried out.

An Explosive Ordinance Device team attended and found no evidence that it could be used as an explosive device and that it was harmless.

Officers have now left the airport and the check-in desk at Terminal Three has been reopened.

No arrests were made.

Superintendent Leor Giladi said: "Because the powder was unidentified we had to take every precaution to protect the safety of passengers at the airport.

"Public safety is our primary concern and that is why we had to take the action we did.

"Tests have been carried out on the substance that have concluded it could not have been used for any explosive purposes and there was absolutely no risk to anyone at the airport.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those passengers who may have experienced some delays for their patience."