Phil Turner
Back in early March a team of two Ministry of Defence (MoD) policemen began the huge security operation now in place at the Farnborough airshow. The number of officers on site has been increasing steadily since 19 June and a presence will be maintained until late August, but the operation will reach its peak this week, when around 160 officers are present at the show site.
The original two PCs have been trawling through the list of contractors and exhibitors at the MoD Process Unit, running security checks on each one. "For all MoD officers on site this week the safety of the public is paramount", says Chief Inspector Paul Aylward, commanding the MoD operation on the site. The MoD Operational Support Unit is fully trained to deal with any scenario, and contains a wealth of experience from officers who have policed the airshow many times.
Searches
CID officers are operating out on the ground during the week, while police dog units will search the exhibition areas first thing in the morning and last thing at night for any suspicious packages. It is a huge help to the security operation if exhibitors don't leave any boxes or packages behind when they depart. Explosives Ordnance Device (EOD) officers are on hand should a bomb disposal situation arise, and evacuation plans have been rehearsed in conjunction with the SBAC Show Control Office.
Response
If a major incident should arise the MoD Police have four mobile response 'Spartan' teams prepared to deal with all situations.
Spartan 1 would be the first to respond to any major emergency, and are fully prepared to react at any time, Spartan 2 would deal with any other major incident such as bomb disposal and suspect packages, while Spartan 3 acts as a reserve team in case a response is required to two separate incidents simultaneously. All four teams are prepared to back up the others should the need arise.
MoD Police will also provide support to Hampshire Constabulary should there be any public order problems outside the site, and they may detain and eject persons if they cause disturbances within the site.
Source: Flight Daily News
