article_snippet.sent: Dad Phil has labelled the security checks 'ludicrous' and criticized how staff reacted in the situation.
article_snippet.sent: Mr Hayward, a software engineer, said: 'Fair enough Mr Hayward, a software engineer are thorough but it just seemed a bit ludicrous to take a plastic gun away from a four-year-old. '
article_snippet.sent: I thought it was a bit over-zealous of the security staff considering how many people were trying to get through at the time. '
article_snippet.sent: Scroll down for video .
article_snippet.sent: Defending the decision a spokeswoman said: 'The safety and security of our passengers is our first priority and all regulations on security are set by the government. '
article_snippet.sent: This regulation states that no items may be permitted through security that resemble a prohibited item.'
article_snippet.sent: East Midlands Airport said that 'no items may be permitted through security that resemble a prohibited item'