Weapons found in Britons' luggage

An international alert was sparked after four British youths were caught with weapons they had smuggled onto a flight from the United States. The four, aged between 17 and 21, were caught by customs officers at Gatwick airport after they flew in on a flight from Orlando in Florida.

The weapons were found in their hold luggage. Police were called and a Taser electric stun gun, a large combat knife, a knuckle-duster and a can of mace spray, all bought while the group were on holiday in Florida and legal in the US, were seized.

The youths were arrested on Saturday and taken to Crawley police station. Three were released with official cautions but Ben Harrington, 21, of Woodhatch, Reigate, was charged with possessing an offensive weapon.

The breach of security is a further embarrassment to the US aviation industry in the wake of the tightened security following the 11 September atrocities. A 27-year-old man from Nepal got past passenger screening at Chicago's O'Hare International airport at the weekend, even though his carry-on bags contained knives, pepper spray and a stun gun. He was charged with an offence yesterday.