Aer Lingus Plane Cleaners Caught Stealing Booze, Cigarettes Manchester

Cleaning staff subcontracted to service Aer Lingus aircraft at Manchester Airport were caught stealing items including alcohol, cigarettes, and Pringles after secret cameras were installed following suspicions of 'significant stock loss'. The covert surveillance, conducted over several days in July and August 2023, revealed the employees breaking security seals and tampering with storage containers to access the stolen goods. Ten individuals, ranging in age from 20 to 52, admitted to the thefts, with footage showing them discussing their activities and using tools to break into secured areas. The airline took these measures after noticing missing stock on planes flying between Manchester and New York during May and June 2023. Prosecutors described the crime as systematic, with the offenders caught red-handed and openly acknowledging their repeated thefts. The court proceedings highlighted the extent of the thefts and the deliberate efforts by the employees to circumvent security protocols.