New force steps up hijack watch

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33964, 3 October 1975, Page 1

New force steps up hijack watch

(From Our Own Reporter) ; , WELLINGTON. Oct. 2. The Airport Security I Service section at Christchurch Airport is [expected to be fully J operational next Tues- ■ iday, with an initial s'staff of 22. ; i New Zealand’s inter- > national airports have not S been entirely unprotected in ) the past, but the formation ) of the Airport Security Service is intended to improve airport security to Inters (national Civil Aviation Crganlisation requirements.

The chief of aviation security of the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Transport (Mr T. Joy) said in Wellington today that passenger and baggage-screening equipment had been installed at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. In 1971, as a result of numerous aircraft hijackings, the 1.C.A.0. recommended a series of guidelines for airiport and aircraft security. The National AirportAircraft Security Committee was set up in New Zealand, comprising representatives of the managements of each of the three international airports, the police, Air New (Zealand (representing the

international airlines), N.A.C., the New Zealand Airline Pilots' Association. the Society of Licensed Aircraft Engineers and Technologists, the Security Intelligence Service, the Post Office, and the Immigration Division of the Labour Department.

The Aviation Crimes Act, 1972. was passed in support of the 1.C.A.0.’s recommendations, the Hague Convention (1970) and Tokyo Convention in 1963. This act designates certain offences such as hijacking, assault, destruction of or damage to aircraft, destruction or damage to navigational facilities, or endangering safety by any means—-

including supplying false information. It amends the Extradition Act. 1965, defines extradictable offences, applies certain sections of the Crimes Act, 1961, and gives explicit rules for the surrender of offenders.

Under the act. the taking of firearms, explosives or ammunition aboard an aircraft unlawfully is made an offence, and the rules for searching passengers and baggage as well as cargo are set out.

The Airport Security Service was finally set up in March, and. after agreement between the Ministers of Police (Mr Connelly) and Civil Aviation (Dr Finlay), an

officer was seconded from the police (Detective SeniorSergeant Joy) to establish the service.

The service was charged with:

Protecting aircraft both on the ground and in the air, and protecting persons and property on aircraft from crimes against the Aviation Crimes Act, 1972. Protecting airports, persons, and property on such airports, from any acts of violence, threats of violence, danger or other unlawful acts.

Complete coverage of passenger and baggagescreening of all outgoing

: passengers on international [aircraft movements. Customs officers. more Than the security service, i have the responsibility for incoming passengers a'nd luggage, while in an emergency the police have responsibility. During 1974, the proposals were discussed with the police, who were offered sole responsibility. The police declined the reIsponsibility, for a number of I reasons, the main one being I that they accept the over-all [role ot protecting and investigating in the total field of i disorder and crime — not .just in a restricted area as iwas required in this case.