Gatwick was warned of threat but did nothing
SECURITY chiefs at Gatwick knew of the threat posed by drones but only put up signs warning users to stay away from the airport.
The use of high-tech devices to stop illegal drone flights was discussed in recent months, but set aside as something for the future.
Instead, the airport decided to ‘raise awareness’ of the law with local residents and put up signs on the perimeter fence warning of an official No Drone Zone.
The Mail on Sunday has seen a presentation given i n July by ex-Army officer Damien Trower, Gatwick’s head of airport security, on the risks posed by unmanned aircraft. Speaking to councillors on the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee, he told how the runway had been shut in July 2017 after a pilot called ‘drone 11 o’clock’ after seeing one of the machines whizz by his wing.
Mr Trower explained that drone activity was greatest in the summer months and in December. And he told how a new No Drone Zone measuring half-a-mile around all airport perimeters had been introduced by the Government in May. A slide asking ‘What are we doing?’ highlighted tactics such as monitoring ‘likely launch sites’, advertising a drone hotline, and the possibility of utilising Neighbourhood Watch groups.
The page featured a photo of s o meone hol di ng a s houlder-mounted anti-drone gun and the phrase ‘detect and disrupt technology’ – but only under the heading ‘in future’.
The committee wanted to know more about where warning signs would be placed. It had previously expressed concerns about a ‘proliferation’ of signs or the ‘inappropriate positioning of signs’ in the countryside and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is believed that the No Drone Zone signs have so far only been placed on the perimeter fence.
A separate report by Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate published in February revealed the airport had been advised on drone risk by the protective security arm of MI5 but had not bought any anti- drone technology. It stated: ‘Our wider threat and risk management continues to remain vigilant.
‘ Recent horizon scanning and joint working with the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure has been of immense value in assisting both the Security and Airside Operations teams to review potential launch sites for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs – more commonly known as drones). This work will form an important component of a planned future business case to address the risk posed by UAVs.’
Last night the airport said it had carried out trials of anti-drone technology but admitted that at present it relies on ‘visual detection’.
A spokesman insisted there was no single, proven commercial technology that could detect and disrupt drones when deliberately flown over the airport for a long period.