Heathrow incident latest: Woman robbed of suitcase before 21 injured in ‘pepper spray’ attack at airport

Police have appealed for information and witnesses after 21 people required medical attention following a “tear gas attack”.

Officers said they arrested one person but were searching for several others believed to be involved.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 1803 7 DEC.

A passenger who landed at Heathrow Airport this morning and witnessed the attack described what happened as “horrific”.

Tom Bate said he and those around him started coughing “out of the blue” because they felt a burning sensation in their throats.

“I thought I was under a terrorist attack,” he told Sky News.

“At this stage, it is believed the incident involved a group of people who knew each other and officers remain at the airport to continue investigations and ensure the safety of people in the area,” the Metropolitan Police wrote in a statement on Sunday afternoon.

A 31-year-old person was detained in connection with the incident.

In an update, police said they believe a woman’s purse was stolen by four men.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault within nine minutes of the report being received. He is still in custody and investigations to find other suspects continue.

London Ambulance Service treated 21 injured people, including a three-year-old girl who was treated at the scene. 5 people with non-life-changing or life-threatening injuries were hospitalized.

Commander Peter Stevens, of the Met, said: “Our team has been working quickly today to examine CCTV from the area and speak to witnesses at the scene.

“At this stage, it was understood that a woman’s bag was stolen by a group of 4 people who sprayed a substance believed to be pepper gas towards her.

“This incident occurred in a car park elevator and those in the elevator and the surrounding area were affected by the spray.

“Our officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the incident but we believe this is an isolated incident where those directly involved know each other.

“We appreciate that this is a worrying incident and I commend the actions of the emergency services and staff at Heathrow airport.”

This morning’s attack took place in the multi-storey car park at Heathrow Terminal 3.

Heathrow Airport is the UK’s largest airport and serves hundreds of destinations around the world.

Terminal 3 is used by Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and many other major airlines. The multi-storey car park where the incident took place is located directly opposite the check-in area.

A three-year-old girl was among the 21 people injured in the suspected tear gas attack at Heathrow airport, which disrupted the travel of passengers.

Armed police were called to the scene at around 8.11am on Sunday after reports that several people had been sprayed with the substance by a group of men in the multi-storey car park at the transport centre’s Terminal 3.

The London Ambulance Service said five people were taken to hospital after 21 patients were injured. Police stated that the injuries were not life-altering or life-threatening.

Police presence will be increased at Heathrow Airport on Sunday to “ensure security” and “reassure the public”, airport bosses said.

They added that while the incident was taken under control by the police, congestion continued on the surrounding roads.

A spokesman advised people to use public transport and said crews were “working hard” to resolve blocked traffic.

“The incident at the multi-storey car park in Terminal 3 has now been brought under control by the Metropolitan Police,” they said. Independent.

“Following the incident, the surrounding roads continue to be busy and we are trying to resolve this situation as soon as possible and advise passengers to use public transportation.

“Police presence will be increased at Heathrow Airport to ensure the safety of people in the area and to reassure the public.”

Simon Calder, Travel Reporter IndependentHe said: “Closing access to two of Heathrow’s four terminals shows how wary authorities are of what is seen as a key target of both terrorism and protests.

“Thousands of passengers are at risk of missing flights as flights will not be arranged for people who are busy for an hour or more due to road and rail closures. Heathrow has little slack in the system and planes must keep to schedule.

“Possibly the only exception would be if the flight crew were delayed in reaching the airport.”

The incident is not considered terrorism.