Police on alert after alleged assault at airport

A man has been charged after allegedly trying to board a flight without a ticket and seizing an officer’s firearm during a scuffle with federal police at a major Australian airport.

Police said the 35-year-old man was arrested around 5pm on Tuesday after allegedly behaving aggressively towards federal police at Melbourne Airport.

Officers first responded after receiving reports that a man was acting erratically and trying to board an international flight without a ticket.

Police began speaking with the man after he claimed he was reaching for one of the officer’s holstered firearms.

“AFP officers then attempted to restrain the man and he allegedly resisted arrest,” a federal police spokesman said.

“A stun gun and OC spray were used before additional AFP officers were requested to assist in restraining the man.”

The UK national has since been charged with a number of offences, including harming a Commonwealth public servant.

He was remanded in custody and will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on March 16.

It comes as police remain on high alert for antisocial, violent or disruptive behavior at airports across the country.

A man was charged Wednesday for making anti-Semitic threats and using his hand to simulate a gun on a female passenger during a flight from Bali.

Federal police arrested the man when the plane landed at Sydney International Airport before he was charged with threatening force or violence against members of the group.

AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emily Nicholson said the public had the right to feel safe at Australian airports.

“The AFP works closely with the airline industry and will intervene if anyone’s behavior becomes offensive or violent,” Det Acting Supt Nicholson said.

“The AFP has zero tolerance for antisocial, violent or disruptive behavior in our airport areas and we will take action against this behavior.”