Spotting at BHX
 

A few weeks ago, during the Afghan evacuation flights, a spotter at BHX was threatened with arrest if he didn't stop taking pictures. Apparently, the long-stay carpark housing the spotters picnic area is currently closed as it houses the Covid testing facility. Something which the airport seemed to have overlooked on their social media and website, as spaces were still for sale.

The spotter, incensed by the policeman's poor attitude, took to West Midlands Police social media site to request a complaints form. After a lengthy phone call with the Aviation Unit's Ops Supervisor, he learned a lot about the airport's byelaws, which probably apply at every UK airport. Apparently, areas outside of the perimeter fence and other boundaries such as carpark fences, are airport land and spotters are viewed as trespassers although BHX "tolerates" them.

Suspicious activity had been noted on that carpark so the police were dispatched to investigate and "enforce not debate". The officer had suggested to the spotter that "he was a journalist disguised as a spotter". The response was "if I was a journalist, why would I spend 20 years taking photos then posting on enthusiasts sites and social media".

WM Police have appointed a new liaison officer but interacting with spotters is way down the action list. Looking at other UK airports' information, spotters liaison groups appear to be operating at Stansted, Gatwick although Edinburgh isn't operational. So, only Manchester does anything to encourage spotters. The military know about engaging with the local community and enthusiasts, an example saving a USAF pilot's life earlier this year. The experienced spotter (at Lakenheath) knew there was something wrong with the jet as it took off. He phoned the base, the report actioned and the pilot returned safely to base. They later met, the event covered by many media channels.

Yes, spotting is still seen as a weird hobby but many airports don't realise that we can be useful to them in reporting anything suspicious like holes in the perimeter fence. The alternative site at BHX is a public park, so the Police have little jurisdiction on what spotters do there.

Such behaviour by the police anywhere does absolutely nothing to help constabularies around the country win friends and influence people. I hope that this was just one instances of a brain dead PC who probably requires retraining.

UK airports have become increasingly unfriendly places to enthusiasts, be they spotters or photographers. Compare and contrast with the attitudes at many European airports.

ATNotts, your comments echo what other enthusiasts have said. You don't have to go too far into Europe to find a spotters paradise. Frankfurt. Their new visitor centre looks well worth a visit.

There was mention of a quiet word in his ear. That PC obviously wasn't the new liaison officer :rolleyes:

I'm sure that it wouldn't have been too difficult for the government, had they really been worried about security issues at BHX when the Afghan refugee / repatriation flights were operating, to simply and at short notice designate BHX property as a restricted area under the terms of the Official Secrets Act and ban people other than those on legitimate business (passengers and employees) from the airport for the duration of the operation.

I don't know if anyone has actually approached the airport management for an explanation, though if they did I doubt they'd get anything remotely sensible from them; just the usual platitudes and fob offs that you get these days from corporate bodies.

ATNotts, we're both on the same page!

However, in the Government's defence they may have expected BHX to initiate/handle the correct security measures themselves. Hang on a minute, that's assuming some degree of common sense that's obviously lacking in both organisations. The suggestion made that he was photographing the passengers on these flights was a physical impossibility. The aircraft were either landing or taxying. Most of the gates used cannot be seen from the spotting area.

There's been nothing more from the person concerned so doubt if he's got anything meaningful to add. Of course, now the flights have stopped then the problem has gone away. Apparently, there was also confusion amongst various media outlets on whether they were allowed to mention BHX by name in their reports. Sky News said "a large Midlands airport" whilst BBC Midlands Today identified it as BHX. Seeing passengers disembarking on the outside of an airbridge and poor attempts to blot out advertising meant it could only be BHX.

I believe it's possible to lookout the window of a taxying aircraft, maybe to get a first glimpse of the land that's to be your new home for the foreseeable future?

I'm with the WMP on this one - instructing spotters not to photograph the flights in question on the ground is perfectly reasonable.

DRUK, With respect to your many valid contributions, I can show you many photos taken from public land of aircraft on short finals with faces glued to the windows. For that reason I don't think your reasoning is entirely valid. ;)

I don't dispute that fact for a moment, but it's no reason not to ban photography from areas under the police's control on this occasion.

Saying "OK, but what about aircraft on the approach?" is just, well, whataboutery. :O

My point is that there's no logic to the police order since it effectively fails to safeguard anything at all! :)

What's the harm here? Quantify it in term of it needing uniformed Police intervention?

Bottom line is that on days like this, the usual rules can be ignored as it's not the usual folk applying them. It's a tough cookie BUT the paranoia fades and the jobsworths depart and come summer, much of the time Police at most of our airports know the score and don't mind. I say most as some of the smaller ones are a very boring posting and you can be the most exciting thing they've seen in weeks so a blind eye may not be turned! I remember getting moved on from my usual spot at PIK back in Gulf War 1 by two Policemen with sub machine guns who were not looking to chat. That level of "no-nonsense" nonense never lasts.