Public tip-offs to boost airport security

EAGLE-EYED airport staff and travellers are being recruited to help police keep Australia's airports safe.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Wednesday unveiled plans for a program called Airport Watch, which will encourage people to report any suspicious activity they see.

The national security initiative, based on Neighbourhood Watch, will operate a command centre in Canberra to take tip-offs from the public.

"Everyone working or conducting business at our major airports will be encouraged to keep their eyes and ears open and work with us to identify and report suspicious activity or behaviour," AFP Acting Commissioner Peter Drennan told reporters at Sydney Airport on Wednesday.

"Tens of thousands of people in the aviation community will be watching out for suspicious behaviour every day," he said.

The program will be introduced at 10 major airports across Australia.

The federal Department of Transport, which developed Airport Watch with the AFP, said the program would be used to strengthen existing security measures.

Mr Drennan said the cost of the program would be minimal and was about changing the approach to airport security.

"Vigilance is the key to staying safe whether you're at home or travelling," he said.

Airport Watch came about after a review of transport safety highlighted the need to review the security culture across the industry.

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