AOA Logo
%SECTION Image 1%SECTION Image 2%SECTION Image 3%SECTION Image 4

Airport Policing

Following the work carried out by Sir John Wheeler in 2002, Stephen Boys Smith’s 2006 Independent Review of Airport Policing concluded that the current system of `designation' was outdated. In 2008 the Government laid the Policing and Crime Bill before Parliament.

Under changes in the Policing and Crime Act, all airports operating within the National Aviation Security Programme (NASP) will undertake a mandatory multi-agency threat risk assessment (MATRA) process for the airport and agree appropriate mitigating action. Where a police presence or agreed response is necessary in order to mitigate a security risk the airport operator will be required to pay.

The provisions of the Act could incur significant charges to airport operators. During the Act Parliamentary stages AOA put forward a number of amendments relating to affordability and cost pass through, however, these were not accepted.

The Commencement Order, marking the start of the 15-month implementation period for new airport policing arrangements came into force on 29 January 2010.

AOA continues to support members, via the AOA Security Group, during the on going process and discussion about a Police Service Agreement with the Police.