BHX Movements and Heads Up

[Kevin Farnell]

Have just been threatened with arrest and told to leave airport property as was taking a picture of CS-TKS,asked to provide dob, address etc.Saw same copper 10 mins later and said he had spoken to airport and could remain but NO pictures allowed of Afghan flights.Have relocated from car park 5 to end of runway cov Rd.Was on way to Elmdon side to do same,be warned,Regards,Simon.
When i was asked for my details I asked if I was legally required to do so,he said as I was on airport property yes or in the airport police station if I refused.I pointed out to him that we were 100 yards from the airport provided spotting area but made no difference,he said I could be a journalist disguised as a spotter
This happened to me yesterday,have filed a complaint today,regards,Simon.

Unbelievable!
I've said before and will continue saying that spotters/aviation enthusiasts are an asset to airport/aviation security.
Would you have got into trouble, had you been located on the path on the opposite side of the A45 on the R33 approach (where Flugsnug films many of his videos)?
In support of your complaint, I would suggest that you mention your long time membership of F4A and your extensive photo collection on Flickr (it would be quite some journalist that had gone to that effort over so many years to appear as a spotter).

Regards and my full support.

Kevin

 

[HPsauce]

Our local daily newspaper the Birmingham Mail, ran quite a large article last Friday, with pictures, of the Afghan refugees flights into Birmingham. Also many, if not all, national newspapers and media have mentioned Birmingham as the arrival airport for this operation!. Quite crazy they should take this attitude.

 

[HPsauce]

BA E190 G-LCAC just arrived from London City.

 

[Poshgirl]

It's a typical reaction sadly!

Our Police on the whole have a good degree of common sense. Others wouldn't know what it was if it smacked them in the face....

Totally agree with Kevin's comments. A lot of the spotters groups linked to airports have disappeared. The main reason given is that the Police don't have time to liaise because they're busy chasing terrorists. Now I don't want to detract from that extremely important work but that was the excuse for the Edinburgh spotters' liaison officer being withdrawn.

If information is in the public domain, ie being reported by local or national media, there's little that can be done. If you're on airport land then maybe they're right. It's difficult to know just what BHX owns. My usual spotting area is Rwy15 threshold. I know that's of little use when Rwy33 but at least it's a public park. Unless BHX want the local council to make it a no-go area....

You have my support to take this further. I'll certainly be mentioning it on the spotters site where I write a blog.

 

[Matty_85]

Our local daily newspaper the Birmingham Mail, ran quite a large article last Friday, with pictures, of the Afghan refugees flights into Birmingham. Also many, if not all, national newspapers and media have mentioned Birmingham as the arrival airport for this operation!. Quite crazy they should take this attitude.

I agree with you completely. I know there is a large processing centre in Solihull but I feel these articles aren’t positive. Even yesterday the arrival of an afghan refugee who was possibly on the no fly list specifically mentioned his arrival at Birmingham... just seems odd

 

[Poshgirl]

Just checked www.bhxspotter.com where lots of photos are published and names attached. As far as I can see, no warnings have been published on that site.

Are the Police now going after the guys who took those.....

That no-fly list incident just proves this apparent censorship is just crazy....

 

[elmdon74]

Have asked for a complaint form from Airport Police on twitter and had an email this morning saying they are willing to discuss what happened with me by phone this evening.Will let you know what develops!

 

[Brum X]

Iberojet A332 departed for Dubai 22.04 EC-LXA. I was fortunate to see the Luke Air A332 land at lunchtime as i passed through BHX. 9H-RTU.

Luke Air looked

 

[Brum X]

Have just been threatened with arrest and told to leave airport property as was taking a picture of CS-TKS,asked to provide dob, address etc.Saw same copper 10 mins later and said he had spoken to airport and could remain but NO pictures allowed of Afghan flights.Have relocated from car park 5 to end of runway cov Rd.Was on way to Elmdon side to do same,be warned,Regards,Simon.
When i was asked for my details I asked if I was legally required to do so,he said as I was on airport property yes or in the airport police station if I refused.I pointed out to him that we were 100 yards from the airport provided spotting area but made no difference,he said I could be a journalist disguised as a spotter
This happened to me yesterday,have filed a complaint today,regards,Simon.

And so what if you are a journalist, the last time I looked we didn't live in Afghanistan or Iraq but the United Kingdom

 

[Poshgirl]

Checking out the Birmingham Live website earlier, appears there was a problem the other day with a Wamos flight.

Due to the sheer numbers to be processed, passengers were kept on board for 8 hours without food or water. Apparently they were kept "on the runway" for the duration.

I could make a fortune educating local and national journalists on how to report aviation stories accurately.

 

[JENNYJET]

You would be better to spend your cash on yourself since journalists are supposedly educated in the basics, i.e. Gathering facts and conveying them to us idiots, thinking we had a right to know.

Having said that, go easy on them, delicate flowers they be!

 

[elmdon74]

Hi all,I last night had an hour`s telephone conversation with Paul Turner who is the Ops Supervisor, Aviation Policing Unit at WMP. After my experience on Monday I had asked the Airport Police on Twitter if they couls send me a complaint form or tell me how to submit an online form,they tried to reply but were having problems getting messages to me and asked foe an email address which I gave. Yesterday morning Paul replied that it was possible to complain online or would I prefer him to call me when he was back on shift at 7pm to discuss any issues I had, which I ageed to.He called me back at 8pm and firstly said he had enjoyed looking at my BHX pictures on Flickr (which is linked to my Twitter account) as he had worked in airport ops for a long time and handled Brymon 1-11`s and many of the diversion days, and they had brought back many good memories. I first asked him if the officer I spoke to on Monday was one of the Airport branch and not brought in from an outside force and he said yes. Next I queried whether someone has to give thier name and address if asked by an officer and he said once you enter the Airport it is private property and agree to the byelaws which state " Identification No person shall, upon request by a Constable or an Airport Official, fail to provide their correct name and address, the purpose of their being on the Airport and any identification which is necessary for the purpose of the request." They also do not have to state what offence you are suspected of commiting until you are arrested/charged. I also asked him if photography of aircraft was banned and he replied as again the area is private property officially yes but the Airport "tolerate" it. He said it is similar to him turning up at my home and taking pictures whilst standing in the front garden, I could have him arrested for trespass,but as soon as he moved 2 feet on to the public footpath there is nothing I could do (eg Google street view images of every UK house). I explained the local enthusiasts have a good rapport with the Airport police and have on prevous situations given my details after being asked in a polite manner and always have a chat with them and never take pictures of passengers on sensitive flights. But my issue on Monday was that the officer was confrontational from the start and had a rude attitude and demeaner. Paul then went on to explain that since BHX has been a red list airport they have been under enormous pressure and on Monday the situation was critical at about midday after several flights came in at the same time with Afghan refugees, with the terminal being almost overwhelmed, resulting in pax being held onboard for over 8 hours, medical emergencies being declared and pax having to sleep overnight on the terminal floors. A major incident was nearly declared and because of the wel reported security issue last weekend the situation was so sensitive that the local authorities and Airport decided photography should be banned immediately as there was a risk that someone could be identified however small or by mistake from pictures taken of aircraft landing or parked. He said a group of people had been observed (by CCTV?) on car parks 4/5 using long lenses and there was suspious activity around parked cars. Officers were sent from the terminal with instructions to very quickly ID people and find out what they were doing, remove them if needed and return to the terminal where they were needed ASAP. Paul said in all the time he has been at BHX this is the most tense it has been and is very tough for all staff there. He stressed that at the moment if you are spotting/taking pictures on airport property you will very likely be asked for ID and name address details, if you refuse the Police will not stand around and debate you WILL be arrested and charged as as happened to someone recently who ended up in court with a £2,000 fine. He also apologised if the officer i spoke to came across as rude and i said his people management skills were sadly lacking which he would take up with him. Paul did say that the viewing area on car park 4/5 was out of bounds due to the covid testing centre being there, which was news to me and most of us i suspect as nobody from the airport or police had made this public and it had not been fenced off,and is still being advertised on the BHX website. The officer i spoke to also said i could remain there after he had spoken to the airport but not take pictures. I aked Paul what his advice was for us at the moment, were we banned or not, he replied no but if you are planning to come to BHX before the evacuation flights are due to finish on 31/8 and making a long trip, ring up the airport and check the current situation re photography as it can change at a moments notice, carry ID and be prepared to be approached by the force. I asked him if Steve Jobson still worked there as I had his phone number to report suspiscious activity to from years ago, but he has now left. A new community relations officer has just started and i suggested a form of enthusiasts ID might be considered such as Stansted have done and he said it is being considered but they have other priorities at the moment.I asked what we could do to report anything unusual going on and the first action is dial 999, but he has given permission to use his contact number for non emergencies which is 07769 9435167 and he will reply when he is on duty. Please dont use this number to ask about daily situations at the Airport.He will let me know when the new officer is ready and provide a contact number. Link to byelaws https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk...t-byelaws-2020-revision-90-final-19042021.pdf So that is the situation folks,like it or lump it. For the time being I am not going to risk using the spotting area/Elmdon MSCP and will go to the Coventry Road footpath instead. Sorry it is such a long email but there was a lot to discuss, Regards,Simon. ReplyForward

 

[JENNYJET]

All standard stuff except perhaps the 'arrest for trespass ', one can be detained for the Civil act of trespass and arrested for Criminal trespass. The officer has to decide on the spot how to manage the intruder under PACE, an arrest is recordable and appears on a record with Police, it follows you for life as it not something that is spent, as with a conviction.

This is procedural but important however one is expected to show common sense as few people carry the Bylaws in one's pocket!

 

[Poshgirl]

Elmdon74

Thanks for your in-depth explanation.

Just proves what being reasonable can do. The other officer's attitude would get anyone's back up! Can fully understand what Paul Turner was saying and it's good that something positive will come from it. Think everyone who's a regular spotter/enthusiast would like to help the Police and their appointing a liaison officer is excellent news.

Is it okay if I report back on the site where I write the blog? Won't do a copy and paste, just edited highlights. It's your choice whether I mention you as a credit, or not.

 

[elmdon74]

Yes,no problems.Regards,Simon.

 

[Brum X]

Sheldon Country Park then Peeps

 

[Poshgirl]

May meet some of you down there, but not before Wednesday (unless evacuation deadline is moved).

Save me a place please....

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Sheldon Country Park then Peeps

From what has been reported previously, that is somewhere that could do with a Police presence.

Kevin

 

[Poshgirl]

I was down there just over 2 weeks ago and it was very busy. Young kids running around; peril of school holidays!

Couldn't see any of the serious spotters. One guy could have made some people suspicious (nationality, appearance) as he was talking to a mate about returning later in the day to see the HiFly A330-900. It pays to listen to the whole conversation.

The thefts reported a few weeks ago seem to have been a one-off. The miscreants caught within 30 minutes, the police called by a victim. I usually park Marston Green Station end as that carpark is supposed to have CCTV. I've seen PCSO patrols before but not for a while.

 

[jfy1999]

Condor 767 D-ABUF will be the latest arrival from DWC this morning. Not sure if it’s a first visit?