Project Pegasus

Border crime causes immense harm to the UK, whether it is the smuggling of people, drugs or firearms, or terrorism related.

There are tens of thousands of light aircraft, helicopters and microlights in the UK, flying in and out of small airfields across the country every day.

Because not every plane and airstrip can be monitored 24 hours a day, the aviation industry, communities who live and work around airports and enthusiasts can play a vital role in preventing crime and maintaining a safe community.

Project Pegasus is an initiative set up to get people who work in aviation or live near airports to join the fight against organised crime and terrorism.

What to look out for:

• someone who seems to be testing, studying or researching security around an airfield
• buying equipment, chemicals, uniforms or identification like badges or patches
• suspicious deliveries
• an odd pattern of hiring an aircraft or deviating from an agreed flight plan
• aircraft which has been modified, carrying extra fuel, suffering from minor damage, landed short of its destination, has been to remote destinations or isolated airfields or is muddy when only tarmac strips are on the flight plans
• the pilot seems nervous, is evasive about passengers, flights or routes, takes unnecessary risks, disregards weather conditions, seems to be flying beyond their abilities or ignores regulations, files misleading or false general aviation reports or flight plans
• does it look as if there might be hidden cargo, packages dropped from low-flying aircraft, items being handled suspiciously?

What you can do about it

If you suspect possible terrorist activity then you can report possible terrorist activity online, on the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321, or if you suspect an immediate danger, please move away and call 999 now.

The dedicated phone number for reporting suspicious activity and tackling aviation border crime at airfields and airports around the UK is 0300 123 7000.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote 'Project Pegasus'.

Please remember: don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation or take any risks; don’t approach anyone you suspect. Report it to us as soon as you can.

Run, hide, tell

Information which will be useful to us (but don’t put yourself in harm's way to get it):

• what happened, when, why was it unusual
• any details about the aircraft; description, markings or modifications, who owns it
• if any other vehicles were involved, registration numbers and a description (colour, make and so on)
• flight details, such as type of flight, flight plans and timings
• any information about the pilot or crew, including what they look like, any identifying features