Twenty-one thousand-plus incidents, 16,000 phone calls and more than 1000 people charged with about 1300 offences. And that's in just one year.
When it comes to keeping Australia's aviation industry flying high - safely - there are certainly no quiet days for the AFP. And the action often begins with the ring of a telephone.
Airport Watch - 131 237 (131 AFP) - is the hotline people can call to report something dangerous, suspicious or potentially harmful in one of the airports currently designated for AFP security oversight, being Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
It's a direct line to the AFP's National Operations State Service Centre (NOSSC), a centralised hub for monitoring, initial response, coordination and communications across areas such as aviation.
With a team of about 50 members, it's staffed 365 days a year.
In a sign of the importance and impact of aviation security, the AFP responded to 21,345 incidents at Australian airports in 2024, with 1119 people charged with 1365 offences for alleged criminal conduct.
AFP Acting Commander Rowena Penfold said the prevalence of these incidents showed the important role the NOSSC and Airport Watch played in keeping air travel safe.
"Airports are places of joy and excitement, but they can also be avenues of dangerous, nefarious and illegal activity," a/Commander Penfold said.
"Whether organised or unwitting, this can have negative consequences, and that's why it's important to have this direct avenue of communication and monitoring, so we can support our members in keeping our airports safe and secure."
The NOSSC receives an average of 7000 calls every month; in 2024 alone it took more than 16,000 related to airport incidents. Topics range from border alerts, aircraft emergencies and acts of violence or intimidation towards airport staff or other travellers, to thefts, passengers affected by drugs or alcohol, lost children, suspicious items or bags, and contraband.
Also in the frame is suspicious activity in and around our airports, noting information reported by members of the public could assist, or even spark, an investigation related to serious criminal matters such as child trafficking, drug trafficking, or transnational and organised crime.
"The NOSSC and Airport Watch are crucial capabilities in providing urgent support to travellers who encounter suspicious or illegal activity at an airport," a/Commander Penfold said.
"Airports can be seen as potentially vulnerable targets for illegal and criminal activities, and our AFP Aviation members work incredibly hard to keep our airports safe through both overt and covert activities to deter potential criminality.
"However, police simply can't be everywhere, so we also rely on information from the travelling public to assist us in identifying potential threats."
Acting Commander Penfold said sharing information with Airport Watch meant airport officers could respond to potential incidents swiftly.
"Travellers, airport workers and everyone within the airport community are our eyes and ears in aviation," she said. "We rely on you to report suspicious activity and tell us when you think a crime has occurred or may occur.
"Any piece of information, big or small, can prove vital to a police investigation into serious criminal activity, and can aid an arrest and subsequent prosecution."
Acting Commander Penfold added it was important for the travelling public to know who to call and when.
"I want to stress that if you are in an emergency or life-threatening situation, the best number to call is Triple Zero (000)," she said.
"For other matters where you think there is risk to the safety of the airport, or the people in it, or you suspect a crime has occurred in one of our designated airports, call Airport Watch on 131 AFP - 131 237.
"Remember, these reports can be made anonymously, so criminals will never know who reported the information."
Where to report suspicious or criminal activity at airports
Contact Airport Watch on 131 237 (131 AFP) immediately if you see or hear something suspicious at these designated airports; Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Report concerns about possible signs of terrorism, or threats to national security, to the National Security Hotline (HSN) on 1800 123 400. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you see suspicious behaviour at a regional airport, or an airport without a police presence, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you are in an emergency or life-threatening situation, contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.
