'Industry and ACSA need joint security plan'

Airport warehouse security still sorely lacking John Dickson . . 'We're much more proactive in prevention.' Alan Peat WHILE SOME positive elements have been put in place, security for cargo areas at the airport is still too superficial, according to two major airport users. On the plus side of things, according to John Dickson, m.d. of Airlink Cargo International, intercommunication with the airport on security matters has improved. "There's a good relationship between the private sector and the police and other bodies at the airport," he told FTW. "There's a greater awareness of security, and people are taking it much more seriously." Security lessons have been learned, he added Ð often the hard way, through the likes of recent armed robberies Ð and companies dealing directly with the airport are much more conscious about their own efforts. "We're much more proactive in prevention," Dickson said. "The police numbers at the airport have been increased substantially, and their presence is quite noticeable. "On the cargo side we are proactive in our dealings with the SA Police Services (SAPS) and airport authorities." Our two commentators are both satisfied that the security screws have been tightened on access to the apron area, the area and activities immediately surrounding the landed aircraft. "You need all the permits, bells and whistles there," said Dickson, "and there's also well-armed security." That's all very well, according to Francois Wolmarans of Express Air Services, but it still leaves a critical area badly exposed. "Tightening up security around the apron is OK," he told FTW, "but what does history tell us? Where have most of the armed robberies taken place? "At the warehouses!" And that area is still too loosely controlled, and open to access for visiting criminal elements, Wolmarans added. "Although all the warehouses are rented from ACSA," he said, "they still seem to think that security remains a private sector matter of interest." But any of these efforts Ð and they have to remain limited in their strength of response - go to waste when ACSA doesn't play its designated role in controlling access/egress to-and-from the warehouse section. It's all left as just too much of an open playing field, Wolmarans added. "I don't think the ACSA facilities at the warehouse section are enough," he said. "There's no real entry control and, even worse, no exit control at all. And if you have a robbery taking place, where's the best place to stop them Ð at the exit. "Rather spend money on not allowing unauthorised people in and out of the warehouse section." What is urgently needed, Wolmarans added, is for industry and ACSA to get together and discuss what practical steps can be taken. "We need to reach an understanding on who is responsible for each section," he said, "and then act appropriately."