Border crime causes immense harm to the UK, whether it is the smuggling of people, drugs or firearms, or terrorism related.

There are tens of thousands of light aircraft, helicopters and microlights in the UK, flying in and out of small airfields across the country every day.

Because not every plane and airstrip can be monitored 24 hours a day, the aviation industry, communities who live and work around airports and enthusiasts can play a vital role in preventing crime and maintaining a safe community.

Project Pegasus is an initiative set up to get people who work in aviation or live near airports to join the fight against organised crime and terrorism.

What to look out for:

• someone who seems to be testing, studying or researching security around an airfield
• buying equipment, chemicals, uniforms or identification like badges or patches
• suspicious deliveries
• an odd pattern of hiring an aircraft or deviating from an agreed flight plan
• aircraft which has been modified, carrying extra fuel, suffering from minor damage, landed short of its destination, has been to remote destinations or isolated airfields or is muddy when only tarmac strips are on the flight plans
• the pilot seems nervous, is evasive about passengers, flights or routes, takes unnecessary risks, disregards weather conditions, seems to be flying beyond their abilities or ignores regulations, files misleading or false General Aviation Reports or flight plans
• does it look as if there might be hidden cargo, packages dropped from low-flying aircraft, items being handled suspiciously?

What you can do about it

If you see anything that makes you suspicious, tell us, either online, or by calling 101. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

If you suspect possible terrorist activity then you can report that to us online, on the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321, or if you suspect an immediate danger, please move away and call 999 now. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

If you’d rather report anonymously, then call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote 'Pegasus'.

Please remember: don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation or take any risks; don’t approach anyone you suspect. Report it to us as soon as you can.

Run, hide, tell

Information which will be useful to us (but don’t put yourself in harm's way to get it):

• what happened, when, why was it unusual
• any details about the aircraft; description, markings or modifications, who owns it
• if any other vehicles were involved, registration numbers and a description (colour, make and so on)
• flight details, such as type of flight, flight plans and timings
• any information about the pilot or crew, including what they look like, any identifying features

Become a member

Counter Terrorism Police South East help organise the Project Pegasus Aviation Enthusiasts Club. We offer members regular talks and tours of airfields. Sometimes we also offer a viewing area for the Farnborough International Air Show.

As a member you'll have a membership card and we'll email you about upcoming events.

Sign up to become a member of Project Pegasus if you want to become the eyes and ears for our team. Click apply at the bottom of this page to complete our quick and simple online form.

By applying you agree to allow us to keep your details, email you with details of events and complete checks against various databases.

You can also follow us on Twitter @HantspolPlanes.

For pilots of general aviation aircraft

If you're an operator or pilot of a general aviation aircraft, you must report international or Channel Islands journeys to or from the UK, unless travelling directly from the UK to a destination in the European Union as specified under sections 35 and 64 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

The term 'general aviation' describes any aircraft not operating to a specific and published schedule.

General aviation reporting requirements (GAR) are for the operators and pilots of general aviation aircraft who intend to travel to or from the UK.

Please visit the government's general aviation operators and pilots notification of flights page for more information.

Clich apply below to become a member of Project Pegasus.

Apply