Clown stripped at airport - because he was "terrorist threat"
AIRPORT security guards strip searched a Midland clown and confiscated his plastic handcuffs – because they thought he was a terrorist threat.
Stunned Dave Vaughan, 60, was trying to board a charity flight for disadvantaged kids at Birmingham International when he was interrogated.
The children’s entertainer, who performs under the name PC Konk, had been booked by the Variety Club Midlands for a Search For Santa trip.
But Dave, who was wearing colourful pantaloons, enormous shoes and a flashing police helmet, landed in hot water after setting off the security alarm.
The clown, from Shard End, Birmingham, was whisked off to a private room and ordered to strip to his shorts and tee-shirt while staff inspected his elaborate outfit.
Dave, who has been a kids’ entertainer for more than 25 years, said: “I just couldn’t believe it when they told me to get undressed so they could search me and my belongings.
“I showed them my police-clown identity card, which had my picture next to the my credentials as a member of the Criminal Insane Department, but I don’t think that really helped!
“My plastic scissors and camera got through fine, as did my funny glasses and bubble machine, but then they discovered my plastic toy handcuffs. I told them I had bought them from the Early Learning Centre especially for the trip but they still said they were a risk.
“I suppose they have to be really safety-conscious nowadays, but I’ve never had this problem before when I’ve been to international clown conventions abroad.”
Security guards spent 10 minutes examining PC Konk’s outfit, including his clown shoes and fairy bubbles. They eventually released Dave when they discovered his costume featured a metal band which held up his pantaloons – the reason he set off the alarm.
The entertainer was then allowed back on to the flight to entertain the Variety Club children with a series of funny songs and jokes.
The Thomas Cook-sponsored plane spent one hour in the air as more than 100 disadvantaged children had the time of their lives. All kids and crew later landed safely back at Birmingham International Airport – where PC Konk was reunited with his handcuffs.
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