The AFP today welcomed a local aviation enthusiasts' group airside for the first time at Adelaide Airport.
AFP invited the enthusiasts inside the airport given their strong interest and passion in observing aviation activity. They were also treated to some demonstrations from the AFP detection dogs and the Rapid Appraisal Team.
AFP Aviation Acting Inspector Mike Smith said opportunities like this are an important step in engagement with the airport community, which can also help with activities to ensure the safety of everyone in the precinct.
"As domestic and international travel returns, the public can play a crucial role in reporting suspicious activity to police and the aviation industry," he said.
"The increase in travel through our airport terminals can also lead to the potential increase in crime through the aviation environment - such as drug importations, illicit cash smuggling and human trafficking.
"Engaging with people in and around the airport provides a great opportunity to reinforce the community-based concept of Airport Watch, which encourages the public to be the 'eyes and ears' within the aviation environment and report suspicious activity to police.
"This information can assist the AFP with detecting, resolving and deterring criminal activity within our airport environment," Acting Inspector Smith said.
Suspicious activity or unusual behavior includes:
- A person observed displaying an unusually keen interest in security procedures;
- A person observed recording or taking photos in or around sensitive areas of the airport;
- Anyone acting strangely or in an unusual manner;
- Anyone heard asking questions to gain information about the airport; and
- Anyone trying to gain unauthorised access to secure areas.
The AFP's Airport Watch program operates across nine major airports - Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and complements other security operations at airports.
Airport Watch, first launched in 2012, offers a hotline (131 AFP) for reporting unusual and concerning behaviour.
For more details on the suspicious behaviour to look out for, visit the Airport Watch page.
