Police Sent To Investigate What Turned Out To Be Lights On A Crane Near The Airport

They're still a little skittish around Gatwick Airport following a 36-hour shutdown just before Christmas due to a drone being flown near the airport. So maybe that's why Surry Police were called out to investigate a red light that appeared to be hovering over a bus station in Redhill about six miles from the airport.

But this time, the light turned out to be an aviation navigation light on top of a construction crane, according to a report from the U.K newspaper The Sun.

Police are still actively searching for who was responsible for flying a drone or drones near the airport in the days before Christmas. The Sussex police report that a £50,000 ($63,000) reward is being offered for information in relation to numerous illegal drone sightings at Gatwick Airport.

Gatwick Airport Limited is offering the reward through independent charity Crimestoppers, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the criminal acts that have caused widespread disruption of flights in the run up to Christmas.

"We can unequivocally state that there have been numerous illegal drone sightings at the airport over three days from 19 to 21 December," said Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable Jo Shiner. “There were numerous reports clustered around 37 occasions where a drone or drones were seen and I am keen for those responsible to be brought to justice."

The first report was on December 19 around 9 p.m. when an airport security officer finishing work reported seeing two drones flying near Perimeter Road South, describing their cross shape and flashing lights.

Other sightings include:

• Half an hour later at about 9:30 p.m. six people, including five police officers, reported within 15 minutes of each other seeing a drone, with white and red lights, near the runway.
• Early the next morning at around 1:15 a.m. on December 20, six people – three airport workers and three police officers – reported over 30 minutes seeing a drone near the runway.
• Over about 30 minutes at about 5 p.m. on December 21, six people – a member of the public and five police officers – reported seeing a drone near a hangar.
• In a further report at around 7:15 p.m. on December 21 a pilot reported seeing a drone near a stand on the airfield. The account was corroborated by a member of staff.

"The impact of this criminal and reckless behaviour has been enormous and we are determined to locate those responsible to bring them to justice. We are investigating this under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act," Shiner said. “We urge the public to contact us if they feel they have information that will help us in our investigation. Contacting Crimestoppers they can do this anonymously. We ask the public to continue to support us by reporting any suspicious activity."

"We are happy to support Gatwick Airport Limited on this reward to catch whoever has been ruining the travel plans of so many people this holiday season," said Mark Hallas, Chief Executive Officer of Crimestoppers. "Giving information through Crimestoppers, whether by phone or online, will always be 100% anonymous – we’re interested in what you know, not your name."

(Source: Sussex police and as cited. Image provided by Sussex police)

FMI: www.crimestoppers-uk.org, www.sussex.police.uk, The Sun