What is Project Pegasus?
Project Pegasus is a joint agency initiative that delivers an enhanced ‘vigilance’ capability within the aviation community of North Wales, providing a hostile environment for the threat from terrorism and organised crime, such as illegal immigration and smuggling to the United Kingdom. Through enhanced criminal and counter terrorism awareness, and the exchange of information and intelligence between border policing partners and the aviation community, our airfields and environs can continue to be a safe place to live, work and relax.
How Does Project Pegasus work?
Project Pegasus, through the provision of a localised number, provides a structure for the reporting of unusual activity or behaviour within the aviation community believed or suspected to be linked to acts of terrorism or organised crime. Whilst it is almost impossible to say with any certainty what a criminal or a terrorist might look like, an individual’s activity or behaviour can become suspicious in the context of the location they are in. Likewise, the unexpected or unusual presence of an aircraft or associated cargo may give rise to concern to members of the community. Project Pegasus allows for the collation and assessment of all information and intelligence relating to suspicious activity or behaviour where it is believed to be linked to organised crime, terrorist activity or other threats to our borders. It provides a mechanism for the deployment of resources from border policing partners in response to a potential or defined threat.
What are the signs of Criminal or Terrorist Activity?
- Tests of Security: Attempts to test security and response times when entering restricted areas.
- Surveillance: Individuals taking pictures and making notes of security measures or procedures. Prolonged activity in one area.
- Equipment: Individuals buying unusual equipment or items such as chemicals, uniforms, badges.
- Suspicious Characters: People whose actions do not fit into the daily or normal routine of the area.
What to look for:
- Are the pilots flying qualifications and identification correct and genuine?
- Are the pilot/crew/passengers behaviour/queries/ questions as you would expect them to be or suspicious?
- Are there regular breaches of aviation/safety regulations?
- Are there unusual methods of payment or transactions by or between the pilot/passengers/crew?
- Is the aircraft safe and being used legally?
- Is there suspicious or unusual activity by people or vehicles around aircraft?
- Is there incorrect or unusual operation or appearance of the aircraft?
- Is there a deviation from the normal use of the aircraft by the owner or operator?
- Is the airfield/aerodrome being used unnecessarily in adverse weather conditions or in darkness?
- Is there poor airmanship regularly on display?
- Are there regular unexpected or last minute diversions to the airfield/aerodrome?
- Are there unusual aircraft movements outside normal hours?
Get to know your airfield/aerodrome and the people who use it.
Terrorists and Criminals can be stopped.
Think S.K.I.E.S:
Stay alert
Know your environment / workplace
Intelligence is everyone’s responsibility
Expect the unexpected
Suspicious activity; see it, record it, report it!
Personnel Security
Ensure all employees working in sensitive areas have undergone a vetting process.
All members of staff should wear a security pass including subcontractors. Encourage staff to challenge persons not wearing a security pass.
Protective Security
If you require protective security advice contact your local police Counter Terrorism Security Adviser.
Remember:
If you observe suspicious activity:
- Do not take direct action.
- Do not confront the individual.
- Do not reveal your suspicions.
- Do record as many details as possible.
- Do notify appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
If you observe suspicious activity:
- Who did you observe?
- What did you see? Be specific.
- Where did you see it?
- When did you see it?
- Why is it suspicious?
DEFEAT CRIME AND TERRORISM: REPORT YOUR SUSPICIONS:
Call North Wales Police on 01407 724444
or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321