While generally agreeing with some of your sentiments, I resent your offensive remarks regarding the 'numpties'. My daughter is a security officer at a major airport and does her job diligently and seriously whilst being cheerful and efficient, as do many of her colleagues.
Blame the DFT, Airport Operators if you wish, who think up some of the nonsense that has to be implemented. "judge and jury in their own court". Sadly you display your ignorance of the system, the security staff are constantly monitored by everyone from the DFT down and there is a price to pay for their non-compliance.
I like probably everyone has been negatively effected by some daft rules and have met some charmless security staff, likewise I have met many charmless crews who have created much of their own problems with their un-cooperative attitudes.