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Police presence has been bolstered at Canberra Airport as part of an expanded security program following an increase in domestic travel. Federal police have relaunched its Airport Watch program, due to more people taking to the skies again after COVID-induced lockdowns and the reopening of state borders. The program was originally launched in 2012 but has been updated in the wake of changes to Australia’s airline sector, which was significantly hit by COVID-19. The campaign will be rolled out at airports in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Hobart and Cairns. Airport police commander at Canberra Airport, Superintendent Simon Henry, said with more people now flying domestically, it was an ideal time to strengthen security measures. “Airports are crucial to cross-border movements in the country, and sometimes criminal networks see that as an opportunity,” Mr Henry said. “Due to COVID-19 significantly disrupting both the aviation industry and organised crime supply chains, it is important to prevent any attempts by criminals to exploit the disruption to their own criminal ends.” Federal police have stressed the relaunch of Airport Watch would not mean an increase in time spent by passengers going through screening measures before their flight. It comes after Canberra Airport beefed-up its security last year with multi-million dollar body and luggage scanners. Mr Henry said Airport Watch would also focus on new airline staff members, with many joining the industry in recent months as the sector expanded after COVID shutdowns. “Aviation industry staff and the public can make meaningful contributions to the prevention of such exploitation,” he said. “The AFP knows crime can be facilitated by trusted insiders. Airport Watch aims to educate those working in and travelling through major airports about what should be reported and how. “With new staff at the airport, organised criminal groups may see an opportunity.” The campaign will also focus on how airport staff can recognise instances of human trafficking, slavery-like crimes, along with potential drug or weapon smuggling. “The public also has a role to play as well,” Mr Henry said. Canberra Airport head of aviation Michael Thompson said safety and security would be even more important with the expansion of flights to Sydney and the launch of the trans-Tasman travel bubble. “Safety and security is critically important to Canberra Airport, its day-to-day operations and all our airport users,” Mr Thompson said. A national rollout of Airport Watch is expected to take place in coming weeks. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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Police presence has been bolstered at Canberra Airport as part of an expanded security program following an increase in domestic travel.
Federal police have relaunched its Airport Watch program, due to more people taking to the skies again after COVID-induced lockdowns and the reopening of state borders.
The program was originally launched in 2012 but has been updated in the wake of changes to Australia’s airline sector, which was significantly hit by COVID-19.
The campaign will be rolled out at airports in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Hobart and Cairns.
Airport police commander at Canberra Airport, Superintendent Simon Henry, said with more people now flying domestically, it was an ideal time to strengthen security measures.
“Airports are crucial to cross-border movements in the country, and sometimes criminal networks see that as an opportunity,” Mr Henry said.
“Due to COVID-19 significantly disrupting both the aviation industry and organised crime supply chains, it is important to prevent any attempts by criminals to exploit the disruption to their own criminal ends.”
Federal police have stressed the relaunch of Airport Watch would not mean an increase in time spent by passengers going through screening measures before their flight.
Mr Henry said Airport Watch would also focus on new airline staff members, with many joining the industry in recent months as the sector expanded after COVID shutdowns.
“Aviation industry staff and the public can make meaningful contributions to the prevention of such exploitation,” he said.
“The AFP knows crime can be facilitated by trusted insiders. Airport Watch aims to educate those working in and travelling through major airports about what should be reported and how.
“With new staff at the airport, organised criminal groups may see an opportunity.”
The campaign will also focus on how airport staff can recognise instances of human trafficking, slavery-like crimes, along with potential drug or weapon smuggling.
“The public also has a role to play as well,” Mr Henry said.
Canberra Airport head of aviation Michael Thompson said safety and security would be even more important with the expansion of flights to Sydney and the launch of the trans-Tasman travel bubble.
“Safety and security is critically important to Canberra Airport, its day-to-day operations and all our airport users,” Mr Thompson said.
A national rollout of Airport Watch is expected to take place in coming weeks.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
