Farnborough News
Jan 5, 2007 17:46:40 GMT 1
Post by Admin (Annette Andria) on Jan 5, 2007 17:46:40 GMT 1
News in Farnborough
Airports reassure neighbours over security measures
by David Lindsell
SECURITY at two airfields is being questioned by a councillor worried about
terrorism, people smuggling and drug dealing.
The operators of Farnborough Airport and Blackbushe Airport near Yateley are
being called on to reassure flyers and residents that security measures are
up to scratch.
Both operators say their security controls are robust and meet government
criteria.
Rushmoor councillor Mike Roberts wants to know what security measures have
been put in place in the aftermath of terrorist bombings in London and
people smuggling rackets.
"There's always a need to look at security, particularly at non-major
airports where you get general aviation or leisure and pleasure flying," he
said.
"I received assurances from TAG [which runs Farnborough] a few months ago
when Heathrow and Gatwick were tightened up that Farnborough was very tight
and secure. I asked all the difficult questions."
Questions about security at all airports have been raised after pilot and
Methodist church member Wyatt Anderson, 49, of London Road, Camberley, was
last month jailed for seven years for people smuggling for the Baybasin
'mafia'.
He dropped off dozens of asylum seekers at unguarded airstrips - which did
not include Blackbushe and Farnborough - around the M25 in his car.
The trial judge said the racket, using airstrips with no passport control,
exposed a "worrying weakness" in Britain's security.
Later this year, Lord Carlile QC, the Government's counter-terrorism
monitor, is expected to issue a report focusing on airport security.
Executive flights coming in and out of one of the 145 smaller licensed
airports will be put under the spotlight.
He has been quoted as saying that there have been improvements in controls
but they have been under-policed in the past.
Although Farnborough Airport and Blackbushe were not involved in the 2004
operation, Cllr Roberts said he was concerned about security at both
airfields. "If there's another report out they need to look to see if there's
any additional factors that need to be changed," he said.
"The potential risks are drug supply and various other things like that but
also bringing in materials that could be used for explosive purposes in
London and the south-east.
"Remember, people were killed in Aldershot during the IRA troubles. We are a
Category B area. We have to be concerned about any reviews that need to take
place."
He added: "I believe there are many more issues around Blackbushe with
people using their own aircraft coming in."
Responding to the fears, Roger Walker, director of airport operations for
TAG said people smuggling or terrorist activity could not happen at
Farnborough Airport.
"We continue to be a NASP (National Aviation Security Programme) airport,"
he said.
"We are regularly inspected by the Department for Transport. In fact they
were here in December and they are here next week.
"They continually inspect us to the nationally agreed standards and we get
checked to the same standards as a major airport such as Heathrow and
Gatwick.
"We are continually checking passengers coming in. We have no reason to
doubt anything untoward is going on.
"It couldn't happen at Farnborough. To land at Farnborough you have to have
permission and we have to know who is on board all planes."
Blackbushe Airport manager Mick Lambert said: "For obvious reasons we do not
release details of our security arrangements. However, we work closely with
Special Branch, customs and immigration officials to ensure that the
arrangements we have in place are robust and effective.
"Given the geographical location of Blackbushe, it would be virtually
impossible for an aircraft to 'sneak in' from abroad. We are too far inland
and surrounded by radar coverage."
Yateley town councillor Bob Harward said: "I regard Blackbushe as a very
small, pleasant airfield. You see these things on film but you don't think
about it locally.
"In the present climate it does seem sensible to look at it."
First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail
Airports reassure neighbours over security measures
by David Lindsell
SECURITY at two airfields is being questioned by a councillor worried about
terrorism, people smuggling and drug dealing.
The operators of Farnborough Airport and Blackbushe Airport near Yateley are
being called on to reassure flyers and residents that security measures are
up to scratch.
Both operators say their security controls are robust and meet government
criteria.
Rushmoor councillor Mike Roberts wants to know what security measures have
been put in place in the aftermath of terrorist bombings in London and
people smuggling rackets.
"There's always a need to look at security, particularly at non-major
airports where you get general aviation or leisure and pleasure flying," he
said.
"I received assurances from TAG [which runs Farnborough] a few months ago
when Heathrow and Gatwick were tightened up that Farnborough was very tight
and secure. I asked all the difficult questions."
Questions about security at all airports have been raised after pilot and
Methodist church member Wyatt Anderson, 49, of London Road, Camberley, was
last month jailed for seven years for people smuggling for the Baybasin
'mafia'.
He dropped off dozens of asylum seekers at unguarded airstrips - which did
not include Blackbushe and Farnborough - around the M25 in his car.
The trial judge said the racket, using airstrips with no passport control,
exposed a "worrying weakness" in Britain's security.
Later this year, Lord Carlile QC, the Government's counter-terrorism
monitor, is expected to issue a report focusing on airport security.
Executive flights coming in and out of one of the 145 smaller licensed
airports will be put under the spotlight.
He has been quoted as saying that there have been improvements in controls
but they have been under-policed in the past.
Although Farnborough Airport and Blackbushe were not involved in the 2004
operation, Cllr Roberts said he was concerned about security at both
airfields. "If there's another report out they need to look to see if there's
any additional factors that need to be changed," he said.
"The potential risks are drug supply and various other things like that but
also bringing in materials that could be used for explosive purposes in
London and the south-east.
"Remember, people were killed in Aldershot during the IRA troubles. We are a
Category B area. We have to be concerned about any reviews that need to take
place."
He added: "I believe there are many more issues around Blackbushe with
people using their own aircraft coming in."
Responding to the fears, Roger Walker, director of airport operations for
TAG said people smuggling or terrorist activity could not happen at
Farnborough Airport.
"We continue to be a NASP (National Aviation Security Programme) airport,"
he said.
"We are regularly inspected by the Department for Transport. In fact they
were here in December and they are here next week.
"They continually inspect us to the nationally agreed standards and we get
checked to the same standards as a major airport such as Heathrow and
Gatwick.
"We are continually checking passengers coming in. We have no reason to
doubt anything untoward is going on.
"It couldn't happen at Farnborough. To land at Farnborough you have to have
permission and we have to know who is on board all planes."
Blackbushe Airport manager Mick Lambert said: "For obvious reasons we do not
release details of our security arrangements. However, we work closely with
Special Branch, customs and immigration officials to ensure that the
arrangements we have in place are robust and effective.
"Given the geographical location of Blackbushe, it would be virtually
impossible for an aircraft to 'sneak in' from abroad. We are too far inland
and surrounded by radar coverage."
Yateley town councillor Bob Harward said: "I regard Blackbushe as a very
small, pleasant airfield. You see these things on film but you don't think
about it locally.
"In the present climate it does seem sensible to look at it."
First printed in: Aldershot News and Mail