'Project Pegasus' urges people to report suspicious behaviour around airfields ahead of G7

Police are asking us to look out for suspicious people and vehicles

Published 26th May 2021

Police have launched an appeal to report suspicious behaviour around airfields ahead of the G7 in Cornwall.

Officers are urging us to keep our eyes peeled for stuff like people loitering, vehicles that look out of place or aircraft with no ID.

It is all part of the nationwide 'Project Pegasus', that is forming part of the major security operation to police the summit.

Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Salcombe, Jo Pengilley, is involved in 'Project Pegasus' and explains what to watch out for.

"People loitering around in the airfields or in the areas of the airfields watching out, suspicious vehicles arriving at all times of the day or night which would not be normal; the community are the best people to know if there is something unusual happening and out of the ordinary.

"So say you've got a small airfield or you've got helicopter/helipads nearby, if something suspicious happens we're encouraging the public to report it.

"It can build a picture for ourselves in order to combat potential criminal activity".

Neighbourhood Beat Manager, Jo Pengilley

We were given the opportunity to meet officers involved in 'Project Pegasus' at a special police briefing on Wednesday.

That included watching a training exercise with specially trained firearms officers, who will be helping to keep the summit secure.

Around 6,000 police and staff will be deployed across Cornwall and Devon during the three-day event, including 5,000 from other forces.

Rob Mooney's the Chief Inspector for Firearms for the Devon, Cornwall and Dorset Police Alliance and explains what residents and visitors are likely to see.

"Our police officers are trained exactly the same as any other officers would be, but they've got the additional skill of having a firearm.

"So if they were met with a threat that need that, then we'd be able to deal with that.

"We are not expecting any threats of that nature and the public should rest assured that it's just another tool that we can use as police officers".

Chief Inspector for Firearms, Rob Mooney

You can check the most up-to-date information about the G7 security operation on the dedicated G7 Policing Website here.