What is Project Pegasus?

Project Pegasus is a joint agency initiative that encourages those who work, enjoy or live near to the counties aviation sites to be extra vigilant to counter the threat of terrorism, smuggling, immigration offences and other criminal activities.

Project Pegasus will work with local communities and partners to help protect society by deterring terrorist groups and criminal organisations from operating in our local airspace while making our airports, airstrips and helipads safer for those who use them legitimately.

Project Pegasus will through raised awareness and the sharing of information continue to keep Norfolk & Suffolk safer places to be.

 

How does Project Pegasus work?

What does a criminal look like or how do they act?

An individual’s activity or behaviour can become suspicious in the context of the location they are in. Likewise, the unexpected or unusual presence of a light aircraft or a particular cargo within a small airfield, airstrip or heliport might be of concern to those who live, work or relax in that particular environment on a regular basis. We therefore need your help by reporting suspicious activity or behaviourm to us.

Project Pegasus reporting lines provide central points of contact for the collation, assessment and analysis of all information relating to suspicious activity or behaviour that could be linked to smuggling, general crime or terrorism.

Following analysis of the information, Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary and UKBA will be in a strong position to deploy assets and resources appropriately in response to a potential or defined threat.

 

What do we ask of you?

Quite simply, call the Project Pegasus reporting numbers whenever you see any activity or behaviour that you feel is suspicious and which may be connected with acts (or preparatory acts) of smuggling, terrorism and general

criminal activity.

We are also asking users and residents of Norfolk and Suffolk's aviation community to register with Project Pegasus free of charge. Telephone either of the numbersm featured and ask for more details.

As a registered member of Project Pegasus you will automatically be added to our Police Direct email and mobile phone distribution list. Where appropriate, you will be sent urgent information and intelligence updates.

At times of heightened risk, we may contact you with a specific report or request for assistance in ‘observing and reporting’ for a particular individual, group, vehicle or aircraft.

 

What to look for

• Are the pilots flying qualifications and identification correct and genuine?
• Are the pilot/crew/passengers behaviour/queries/questions as you would expect them to be or suspicious?
• Are there regular breaches of aviation/safety regulations?
• Are there unusual methods of payment or transactions by or between the pilot/passengers/crew?
• Is the aircraft safe and being used legally?
• Is there suspicious or unusual activity by people or vehicles around aircraft?
• Is there incorrect or unusual operation or appearance of the aircraft?
• Is there a deviation from the normal use of the aircraft by the owner or operator?
• Is the airfield/aerodrome being used unnecessarily in adverse weather conditions or darkness?
• Is there poor airmanship regularly on display?
• Are there regular unexpected or last minute diversions to the airfield/areodrome?
• Are there unusual aircraft movements outside normal hours?