Residents are being urged to report suspicious activity around small airfields and airports this summer.
There are tens of thousands of light aircraft, helicopters and microlights in Britain. These can be used by individuals and gangs to smuggle people, drugs and guns, as well as for committing terrorism offences.
There are many different types and sizes of airfields in Essex. Not every airstrip can be monitored 24 hours a day. The aviation and local community can play a vital role in preventing border crime and helping keep people safe.
Partners in Essex have joined forces to promote Project Pegasus. This is a joint law enforcement initiative between Border Force, the National Crime Agency, the Police and the charity Crimestoppers.
Residents are urged to look out for suspicious activities, such as:
- planes landing in unusual places or at unusual times
- packages being dropped from low-flying aircraft or suspicious deliveries
- someone taking an unusual interest in airport security
- someone where they shouldn’t be
- seeing someone flying a drone close to an airfield or airport
- an aircraft that has been unusually modified
- a person being evasive about passengers, flights or routes
- a person ignoring aviation regulations or filing misleading or false general aviation reports or flight plans
- items being handled suspiciously or concealing cargo
If they do see something suspicious, they should call the police on 101, or if urgent on 999.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using the online form.
Find out more about Project Pegasus and what to watch out for.