Aviation enthusiasts are invited to join a new ‘Airport Watch’ at East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire.
The scheme will work in the same way as Neighbourhood Watch – encouraging regular visitors to the airport to look out for suspicious behaviour and to share anything they think is out of the ordinary with each other and the police. Airport Watch schemes run at other airports because airports attract plane spotters and enthusiasts and dog walkers who are regular visitors and who would notice if anything seemed out of the ordinary. By signing up to ‘Airport Watch’ they can share any information with other members of the scheme and local neighbourhood officers.
Airport Watch members will be given photographic identification and have a direct line of communication between the airport authorities and airport police.
PC 4321 Rachel Hinton said; “Airport Watch is our latest scheme to encourage members of the public to be our eyes and ears when they are on or around the airport site. It links in with Project Griffin, which is aimed primarily at businesses, in and around the airport and together both schemes should give people the confidence to take an active role in communicating with us. The scheme is easy to join and we’d like to encourage as many members of the aviation community to sign up as possible.
“It doesn’t take up much time; we are only asking people to record anything that seems unusual and report it to us on 101.
“We hope people will welcome the opportunity to enjoy their aviation related hobbies while providing an invaluable service to the airport and police. ‘Airport Watch’ signs have been placed around the airport to inform visitors they are in an Airport Watch zone.
To take part in the scheme you can email your details to PC 4321 Rachel Hinton at [email protected]. Your details will be kept on a database and the police reserve the right to check those details against the Police National Computer (PNC).
Anyone who sees any suspicious activity in and around the airport should call 101.
