Security questioned after citizen's arrest ends Gold Coast airport rampage
A citizen's arrest after a violent outburst in a Queensland airport has raised questions over security at the Gold Coast terminals.
A group of golfers ended up subduing a man, who was caught on amatuer video angrily smashing a rubbish bin against a Virgin kiosk in front of frightened members of the public.
The video shows the man slamming the bin repeatedly before a man confronts him. He is quickly reinforced by other civilians who pushed the raging man to ground and held him with zip ties until police arrived.
But Sydney man Dean Penerata, who instigated the citizen's arrest said it took airport police five minutes to arrive.
"That's sad because while he's ranting and raving for a full minute, you'd think, being at an airport, security would be straight on it," he told 7 News.
Federal Police have come under fire after a dramatic citizens' arrest at the Gold Coast Airport. @TomHartley_7 #7News pic.twitter.com/vwz3i4iNhr
— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) May 30, 2017
The Gold Coast Airport said in a statement that Australian Federal Police was responsible for airport security.
"Australian Federal Police provides a first response role regarding security incidents at Gold Coast Airport," the statement said.
"The airport takes security and the safety of passengers and staff seriously and is working with AFP as the matter is investigated."
The AFP said a 29-year-old man was detained "after reports that he was damaging property and threatened an individual."
