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Man arrested over Heathrow alert | Man arrested over Heathrow alert |
(40 minutes later) | |
A major security alert is under way at Heathrow airport after a man with a rucksack scaled the perimeter fence and ran into the path of an aircraft. | A major security alert is under way at Heathrow airport after a man with a rucksack scaled the perimeter fence and ran into the path of an aircraft. |
Eyewitnesses told the BBC armed police surrounded the man on Heathrow's north runway just after 1400 GMT and sniffer dogs were sent in to check the bag. | Eyewitnesses told the BBC armed police surrounded the man on Heathrow's north runway just after 1400 GMT and sniffer dogs were sent in to check the bag. |
The Metropolitan Police said a controlled explosion was carried out, but nothing suspicious was found. | The Metropolitan Police said a controlled explosion was carried out, but nothing suspicious was found. |
A man has been arrested. Some flights have been delayed or cancelled. | A man has been arrested. Some flights have been delayed or cancelled. |
The BBC's Ben Ando said police received numerous 999 calls at 1405 GMT from members of the public. | |
He said reports were of a man of Asian or Arab appearance removing his shoes before scaling the airport's perimeter fence. | |
Bag recovered | Bag recovered |
Up to 20 emergency services vehicles were reported to have been sent to the scene. | Up to 20 emergency services vehicles were reported to have been sent to the scene. |
The rucksack was recovered and explosives officers called in as a precaution. | The rucksack was recovered and explosives officers called in as a precaution. |
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "A man was arrested and is currently in custody." | |
Norman Shanks, a former head of security at airports operator BAA, said it was not the first time a person had climbed over airport fencing. | Norman Shanks, a former head of security at airports operator BAA, said it was not the first time a person had climbed over airport fencing. |
He said it often transpired they were drunk or mentally unstable, and occasionally they were protesters. | He said it often transpired they were drunk or mentally unstable, and occasionally they were protesters. |
"Who knows what category this person falls into," he told BBC News 24. | "Who knows what category this person falls into," he told BBC News 24. |
Campaign groups Greenpeace and Plane Stupid both denied any involvement. | |
Aviation security expert Chris Yates described the incident as "extraordinarily serious" and said a lot of hard questions would now be asked of Heathrow's security. | |
It is understood the north runway, also identified as 27R, was closed, but is now being partially used. | It is understood the north runway, also identified as 27R, was closed, but is now being partially used. |
Cancelled flights | Cancelled flights |
A BAA Heathrow spokesman said passengers should contact airlines to find out whether flights have been delayed or cancelled. | A BAA Heathrow spokesman said passengers should contact airlines to find out whether flights have been delayed or cancelled. |
He said: "The northern runway is now being partially used while police deal with the incident. The southern runway is fully operational. Some delays are occurring as a result." | He said: "The northern runway is now being partially used while police deal with the incident. The southern runway is fully operational. Some delays are occurring as a result." |
British Airways said some of its flights could be cancelled. | British Airways said some of its flights could be cancelled. |
The security breach comes a day before the new Terminal 5 building is due to open. | The security breach comes a day before the new Terminal 5 building is due to open. |
Last month protesters opposing airport expansion plans breached security to unveil a banner on top of a parked passenger jet. | |
Are you at Heathrow? Did you see the incident? Send us your pictures and information using the forms below. | Are you at Heathrow? Did you see the incident? Send us your pictures and information using the forms below. |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |