Charges laid after alleged joyride at Canberra Airport baggage carousel

A child was allegedly filmed riding on a baggage carousel at Canberra Airport. Photo: AFP.

An adult is alleged to have encouraged a 14-year-old child to enter a restricted area by riding on a baggage carousel at Canberra Airport.

The alleged incident from 2 July 2023 was captured on video.

Canberra Airport Group contacted the Australian Federal Police about the alleged incident.

Police said closed-circuit television footage showed two men filming the child as he entered a secure area.

Police stopped a 58-year-old man and a 14-year-old child at Canberra Airport on Sunday (9 July) before their scheduled return flight to their home state of Queensland.

A phone, which allegedly contained footage of the incident, was also seized for examination.

The pair were charged with entering a security-restricted area at a designated airport through access control points and the man is scheduled to appear before ACT Magistrates Court on 3 October.

“Airport security is no joke and restrictions exist to ensure the safety and security of the travelling public and workers,” Detective Acting Inspector Jon Horrocks said.

“Canberra Airport Group, the AFP and industry partners take any security breaches at airports seriously and people can be prosecuted if they commit a criminal offence.”