Glasgow Airport Policing Unit
Dumbarton Court
Glasgow International Airport
Renfrew
PA3 2ST

Tel 0141 532 6060

Fax 0141 889 7717

Dear Sir

GLASGOW AIRPORT WATCH

Thank you for your recent application form for the Airport Watch scheme at Glasgow Airport. Neighbourhood watches are formed by groups within a particular location or interest and are independent from the police, but serviced by the police in terms of information and contact point. The other offshoots such as Farm Watch, and Shop Watch are essentially the same.

We welcome the interest of Aircraft Enthusiasts and see you, as additional eyes and ears on the perimeter fence of the Airfield. You will no doubt be aware of the sensitivity around airports and other installations which are potential terrorist targets. Your activity of photographing, and noting aircraft movements can bring you into that area of suspicion, but I understand that your hobby is innocent, and we will seek to support you in any way we can.

The issue of a membership card or an Identity Card has been raised at a meeting involving police officers responsible for policing Scottish airports, and the view formed that the issues for the police service administering such a scheme brought significant difficulties. We would happily recognise any cards issued by airport clubs, but any card would not in itself authorise any person to stay in area which would be denied to the general public. Consequently I am returning the application form and any photographs you have provided. May I thank you for your interest and thank Kevin Marshbanks for all his work in this matter. We have however recorded your name and address and I will from time to time drop you an note of any matters of interest.

Kevin Marchbank, with photographer representatives including Fred Seggie, visited the police office and together with Irene Degenan the Security Duty Officer, we toured the area around the airport and examined each area to establish any go or no go areas. There is the general understanding that anyone with stepladders would cause nervousness as this could be a means of overcoming the security of the perimeter fence. Consequently those who wish to use ladders to take photographs should call the Airport Police Office 0141 848 4515 which will generally provide permission and prevent alarm. The other constant factor was parking within the Crash Gate areas. For many years we have moved on any person parking in these areas and have provided plastic screens to obstruct the view from a car. Large signs indicating parking prohibited and action by both Police and security patrols have moved people on from these areas.

We have reviewed this and have concluded that the danger to the airport is obstruction of entry or access from unattended vehicles and not vehicles which could move the vehicle at a moments notice. In reality the vast majority of these gates are seldom used consequently we will tolerate vehicles within the crash gates except Crash Gate 3 which is regularly used by the emergency services.

We approached this on the basis that we would not nor should we, differentiate, between enthusiasts and general members of the public. The result is essentially as follows.

Beginning at the Business Aviation Centre at Abbotsinch Road (Inchinnan Road) and travelling anti clockwise, all areas are permissible, with the exception of the Business Aviation Centre car park.
The next gate No 5, gives access to the general Aviation terminal at Area Juliet. It is used for any VIP visits as the Pilcher Suite for VIP’s and the Pan used for Royal flights is within this area. We spoke about removing any plastic barriers on this gate, however the advice we have is that these were placed here on a road safety basis to avoid drivers being distracted by aicraft and causing accidents.
Gate 4 is also seldom used and is available.
The largest of the gates is the Emergency Services gate is used for immediate access in the event of an emergency. This is regularly used, however we have no objection to people gathering there and the plastic screen has been removed by storms. We will seek to provide slots for photography and prevent further damage by those who cut holes in the fence.
The next gate 2 is apparently the best for photographers and has a view of the Taxiway Alpha. Here we will seek to remove all the plastic screens, and prepare slots for cameras. This gate is never used and there may be the possibility of some future development of this area which we will pursue with BAA.
Following the fence line we have no issues anywhere along the perimeter fence until we reach Barnsford Road at the Yonderton Farm Road. This is popular spot but as it is essentially a narrow lane, parking can be an issue. The Department for Transport has placed an obligation on Airports within the National Aviation Security Programme to keep a three metre gap between the perimeter fence, and any obstacle. Parking a vehicle next to the fence compromises this three metre gap and will invite police and security attention. We have no problems with parking on the other side of the lane, however this is private property, and the owner of the land may have other views. This is certainly the case further along the lane towards the crash gate 14 where the farmer has placed several signs on his verge to indicate no parking. This should be respected, and as parking adjacent to the fence is problematic, we would suggest that this area be avoided. A request was made to consider making camera slots outside the farmers home but this would impact adversely on his quality of life and we would not support this.
Parking near the radar installation at crash gate 13 will also attract attention, as will any unattended vehicle near this equipment. There is no danger to traffic from distraction and we will seek to remove the existing plastic barriers from the crash gates in the lane to improve the view, and seek to create slots on Crash Gate 12. Kevin has suggested some form of car parking area be created here. This is a matter for BAA and I will take this up with them, but is may be a matter best implemented when the Perimeter fence is being replaced.
Following the fence anti clockwise past the Fire Service Training Area and the Crash gate 11 on the Barnsford Road. We have no issues apart from vehicles left unattended within the crash gate. This is a gate, which the public tend to congregate and park across. However these gates are seldom used.
The crash gate 10 at the end of the runway near the lay by on Barnsford Road is popular and is also available. Parking in the lay by is free and perhaps the nearest free parking area available for any of the viewing areas at this part of the airfield.
There is a footpath running along the fence line from crash gate 10 into Paisley Moss which is to the north of the St James Roundabout. Following this track, and then the fence line will bring you to a point where two fences meet which is popular for photographers. We will seek to have slots placed on the fence line.
Slightly further east there is a large mound, which gives a panoramic view of the airfield and is also available for your use. However, there are equipment compounds, which we will require you to avoid.
Following the fence line, the area behind the Loganair hangar is available but parking is not permitted.
Similarly, the area to the east of the International Pier near the blast fence provides a view into the cul de sac November, and is available.
Finally passing the terminal building entering Campsie Drive turning east towards the East Security Gate, gives a view into the cul De Sac Kilo, but the sight lines are not good.
Following the fence line this takes you into the Cargo area which has specific difficulties. There are few viewing areas and the only clear area is within a private car park owned by British Airways which we would not support. This brings us back to the starting point.

We have BAA Security approval of these areas. Similarly we have advised both Security Officers the Police Officers on patrol of this arrangement and while you may be challenged, you should not be moved on unnecessarily.

I hoped to let you know of any issues which you may find of interest, Kevin has been instrumental in promoting additional contacts and I am grateful for his support.

I am returning you application form however as you will see we are keen to support you in any other way we can. Finally any suspicious issues please telephone 0141 848 4515. My colleague Alister McMahon may from time to time make contact and he is available at the same number, or by e mail at gla_police@baa.com.


Yours sincerely

Sergeant Kenny Brown
Deputy Airport Police Commander