Essex Police have introduced a new scheme at London Stansted Airport entitled Stansted Plane Enthusiasts Scheme, which aims to collect the names and details of known regular spotters at the airport. This information will potentially help the police identify regular ‘harmless’ individuals watching movements at the airport. It will also provide registered members with a pack which presumably dictates expected behaviour of the individual, and what to do if you see any suspicious activity going on.

Those who wish to receive an application pack should contact stanstedplanewatch@essex.pnn.police.uk

Enthusiasts at London Gatwick airport are encouraged to sign up to the ID scheme operated by Gatwick Police. To date over 200 people have signed up, and it has been free so far.However, now there is a £6 administration fee to sign up and get your ID card.

The police stress that you won’t gain any additional rights over other members of the public by joining the scheme, but it will help them recognise you, and also help their fight against criminals and terrorism.

These schemes are popping up all over the place now, but I’ve yet to hear of any positive benefits of them to either spotters or the police.

You can read more about the Gatwick ID scheme and sign up by clicking on this link.

Bedfordshire Police have announced a new photo ID scheme for aircraft spotters who visit London Luton airport.

They would like interested spotters to register with them and send two passport photos. You will then be issued with an ID to show if you are ever challenged at the airport.

Please visit this link for more information.

Quite what these schemes achieve is questionable, with many airports issuing or showing interest in issuing schemes like this over recent years. In fact, Luton has apparently issued a pass before which has never been used since.

Whether it is illegal to stand on a public road and look at aircraft is something the police have not commented on.