Man arrested as Gatwick terminal evacuated

Police have arrested a man at Gatwick and the London airport’s North Terminal has been evacuated as a precautionary measure after a “suspicious item” was found.

Police were called at about 9:30 GMT after "suspicious actions" by a man and a spokesman said Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists were at the scene. Sussex Police said the man was arrested after he "discarded an item" at the airport

"At this time, we are investigating the circumstances of the incident and it is too early to say what the item may be,” Det Supt Nick May said. "However, given the events in Paris on Friday evening, there is heightened awareness around any such incident and it is best that we treat the matter in all seriousness."

The airport said in a statement that the terminal had been fully evacuated on the landside, before passport control. Passengers due to arrive into the North Terminal would be arriving into the South Terminal. Landside passengers who were already at the North Terminal were being looked after in nearby hotels.

Passengers have been advised to leave plenty of time for their journey to the airport as roads immediately around the terminal have been closed.

British Airways and Easyjet said they were working with the airport and the authorities to assess the situation and any potential impact on flights.