More than 20 people injured at Heathrow Airport in pepper spray attack as armed police arrest man & hunt group
MORE than 20 people have been injured in a suspected pepper spray attack at Heathrow Airport as one man is arrested.
Armed cops stormed a Terminal 3 multi storey car park after a “group of men” allegedly doused multiple victims with the substance at around 8.11am
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The Met Police confirmed one man was arrested on suspicion of assaultCredit: X
Emergency services responded to reports of an incident at around 8.11amCredit: UKNIP
Paramedics rushed five victims to hospitalCredit: UKNIP
Dramatic footage shows a hooded man, dressed in black, being bundled into the back of a police van while cuffed.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed armed officers arrested one man, who remains in custody, on suspicion of assault.
An urgent search has been launched as the force also hunt further suspects who fled the scene.
It is understood the alarm was raised after several people were sprayed a form of pepper spray.
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The London Ambulance Service said a “significant incident” was declared around 8.40am.
Paramedics rushed five victims to hospital while 21 patients were treated in total.
Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
Met Commander Peter Stevens said it is believed the chaos was sparked by “an argument escalating” between a group “known to each other”.
He added that there will be “an increased police presence” at the airport, but the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
Heathrow Airport confirmed in an update just after 11.30am the incident had been “contained”.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson added: “We were called at 8.14am today to assist emergency service colleagues at an incident near Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport.
“Firefighters remain at the scene.”
Heathrow tunnels were shut down with LUL and Elizabeth Lines suspended amid the chaos.
The lines affected included Elizabeth between Shenfield and Abbey Wood, as well as Heathrow Terminal 4 to 5.
Meanwhile Heathrow Express services between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5 have also been disrupted.
Disruption is expected to continue this morning, with cancellations until around midday, according to National Rail.
It is understood the alarm was raised after several of people were sprayed a form of pepper sprayCredit: UKNIP
The London Ambulance Service said a ‘significant incident’ was declaredCredit: UKNIP
Heathrow tunnels were shut down with LUL and Elizabeth Lines suspended amid the chaosCredit: X/@Misterkhanh
The airport has urged flyers to allow extra time when travelling and to check in with their airlines.
Confused passengers have vented their frustrations online.
One penned on X: “What’s happened at Heathrow? Why’s all the trains departing and arriving at Heathrow cancelled?”
Another user on X said there was a “major backlog of cars unable to leave the vicinity or enter the drop-off zone” at Terminal 3.
It is understood the M4 southbound Heathrow Airport spur road was also closed this morning due to a police incident.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police are in attendance at Heathrow Airport while we investigate the circumstances around the assault of a number of people this morning.
“Officers were called at 08:11hrs to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of multiple people being assaulted.
“A number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray by a group of men who then left the scene.
“Armed response officers attended and arrested one man on suspicion of assault.
“He remains in custody and enquiries continue to trace further suspects.
“London Ambulance Service attended and the victims were taken to hospital.
“Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
“There is currently some disruption to traffic in the area and Terminal 3 remains open.”
Commander Peter Stevens added: “At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured.
“Our officers responded quickly and there will be an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport throughout the morning, to continue enquiries and ensure the safety of those in the area.
“We are not treating this incident as terrorism. I understand the public’s concerns and would like to thank those in the area for their cooperation this morning.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 101, quoting CAD 1803 7 DEC.
A London Ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called today at 8.04am to reports of an incident at Heathrow Airport.
“We sent a number of resources to the scene, and cared for 21 patients. Five patients were taken to hospital.
“The ambulance service was stood down from the scene at 10.58am.”
A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said in an update at 11.30am: “The incident at the multi storey car park in Terminal 3 has now been contained by the Metropolitan Police.
“Congestion remains on surrounding roads following the incident which we are working hard to resolve as quickly as possible and we are advising passengers to use public transport.
“There will be an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport to maintain the safety of people in the area and reassure the public.”
A spokesperson for National Rail added: “Lines have reopened allowing trains to be able to call at Heathrow Airport following the emergency services dealing with an incident at the Airport.
“Although lines have now reopened, disruption is expected to continue whilst services return to normal, delays of up to 10 minutes and cancellations can be expected until 11:45.”
Have you been affected by this incident? Email summer.raemason@the-sun.co.uk
The airport has urged flyers to allow extra time when travelling and to check in with their airlinesCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
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