The Metropolitan Police has said a number of people were sprayed with “a form of pepper spray” at London’s Heathrow Airport earlier today.
One man has been arrested on suspicion of assault.
This is the force’s statement in full:
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 said: “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.”
Officers were called at 8.11am to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of multiple people being assaulted, said the Metropolitan Police.A statement by the force said: “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.”
What we know so far
- Several people assaulted with ‘pepper spray’
- One arrest – police are searching for more suspects
- Incident said to involve people known to each other
- Incident not being treated as terrorism
- Traffic disruption reported – but train lines since reopened
Armed police attended and one man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody and enquiries continue to trace further suspects.
Police are not treating the Heathrow incident as terrorism
