Hi all,
I read an article in the latest Skyport newspaper and found an interesting article that I think all regular enthusiasts that visit Heathrow should be made aware of.
Taken from http://www.airportcommunity.org:
A new scheme set up by Heathrow Police in partnership with BAA, designed to recognise the valuable role Aviation Enthusiasts can play in combating terrorism and crime.
We would particularly welcome applications from the enthusiasts who visit Heathrow on a regular basis.
Regular attendance around the airport means you are more likely to notice something or someone out of the ordinary on or around the airfield. However, all enthusiasts are welcome to apply.
Membership will provide you with an identity card and specially designed lanyard and cardholder similar to that of airport workers, which we would ask you to wear when engaged in your hobby at Heathrow Airport. It will allow you to be easily identified by police and security at Heathrow as a potential valuable source of information. The card will not give you any additional rights over members of the public, but will show your commitment to helping us protect the airport from criminality and the constant terrorist threat.
In order to show our commitment to the scheme, we are pleased to inform you that Heathrow Police will supply the first 200 ID cards and lanyards free of charge. Thereafter we will have to make a one-off charge of £7.50 for the production of any new cards and lanyards.
We hope the scheme will enable us to have regular contact with yourselves, as well as giving you a contact point to pass on any information you may have, or report anything suspicious.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Anyone that wants to apply for one of these ID cards and lanyards should download an application form electronically from the website (http://www.airportcommunity.org), or call into Heathrow Police Station to request a form and collect it in person.
Below is an image (also taken from the website!) of what the ID Card will look like!
By: paulc - 2nd December 2008 at 14:56
Is this badge scheme designed to replace the LAAS badge scheme as there is no point having both. Have only ever shown that once and that was at my local. (Eastleigh) Unless these badges give access over and above that available to the general public then they are somewhat pointless. I would hope that anybody who spotted something suspicious would report it anyway.
By: Skymonster - 1st December 2008 at 15:04
There is a similar operation already happening at BHX and has been for a few years now that I’m apart of.
As a semi-regular at BHX (often with a big camera), I’ve never even been accosted by the Rozzers let alone had to justify who I am or what I was doing – not that I am a member of the BHX scheme, but I don’t see the point of paying for badge if they’re not going to do anything
A
By: cloud_9 - 30th November 2008 at 21:49
Still don’t know whether to do mine. Wouldn’t wear it anyway, I’d keep it in my bag, and then it’s just a form of ID.
Well if thats your attitude to it then I wouldn’t bother, so please do us a favour and wait until the first 200 free ones have been taken up by those that will use them for the intended purpose (safety and security); after the first 200, its charged at £7.50 and then it might make you think twice about wearing it!:mad:
There is a similar operation already happening at BHX and has been for a few years now that I’m apart of.
Just out of interest, what has been the general consensus of the scheme up there, has it been received well by others?
By: Grey Area - 30th November 2008 at 20:58
Did you wave at it?
I always do. 🙂
By: Rlangham - 30th November 2008 at 20:13
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard something similar proposed for GLA over the years and still nothing has happened. Would have been useful the time A330 Crazy and T5 payed a visit a few years ago, and we almost ended up in the cells ! 😀
Me and my friends may or may not have been followed by a police helicopter at LHR at one point :rolleyes:
By: Future Pilot - 30th November 2008 at 19:24
There is a similar operation already happening at BHX and has been for a few years now that I’m apart of.
By: kevinwm - 30th November 2008 at 14:37
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard something similar proposed for GLA over the years and still nothing has happened. Would have been useful the time A330 Crazy and T5 payed a visit a few years ago, and we almost ended up in the cells ! 😀
We tried a time in the past few years for a similar scheme at Glasgow , but it was knocked on the head by the Headyins at Pitt Street
Ive emailed the guys at the Airport cop shop about this so will wait and see what happens this time :rolleyes::rolleyes:
If you have any problems Allen , give me a call and I will phone my contact at the cop shop for you 😎
Kevin
By: Ren Frew - 30th November 2008 at 12:42
Fantastic Idea! Hopefully other airports will follow on with this idea! 🙂
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard something similar proposed for GLA over the years and still nothing has happened. Would have been useful the time A330 Crazy and T5 payed a visit a few years ago, and we almost ended up in the cells ! 😀
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th November 2008 at 11:30
When I was at myrtle avenue last weekend, a police minivan turned up and half the counties police force got out and started handing application forms for this. Still don’t know whether to do mine. Wouldn’t wear it anyway, I’d keep it in my bag, and then it’s just a form of ID.
By: bri - 30th November 2008 at 10:23
One would hope that checks are made on all applicants. Just applying online would leave the system open to the very people they are trying to protect us from!
Yes, that’s an obvious point I know. But, bearing in mind the many cockups in the public sector in the past few (well, ten) years, it is a point that should be made.
Bri 🙁
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November 30, 2008 at 1:33 am