This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7294745.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 8 | Version 9 |
---|---|
Man arrested over Heathrow alert | Man arrested over Heathrow alert |
(30 minutes later) | |
A major security alert has taken place 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 has taken place 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 the north runway. | Eyewitnesses told the BBC armed police surrounded the man on the north runway. |
Scotland Yard said a man was arrested and a controlled explosion of the bag found nothing suspicious. They later confirmed it was not terrorism-related. | Scotland Yard said a man was arrested and a controlled explosion of the bag found nothing suspicious. They later confirmed it was not terrorism-related. |
Gordon Brown said everything was being done to ensure security at the airport, as some passengers experienced delays. | Gordon Brown said everything was being done to ensure security at the airport, as some passengers experienced delays. |
The BBC's Ben Ando said police received numerous 999 calls at 1405 GMT from members of the public. | The BBC's Ben Ando said police received numerous 999 calls at 1405 GMT from members of the public. |
Royal visit | Royal visit |
Reports were of a man of Asian or Arab appearance removing his shoes before scaling the airport's perimeter fence, he said. | Reports were of a man of Asian or Arab appearance removing his shoes before scaling the airport's perimeter fence, he said. |
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. |
We are determined to protect all passengers and all staff who go through Heathrow and every other airport Gordon Brown, Prime Minister | We are determined to protect all passengers and all staff who go through Heathrow and every other airport Gordon Brown, Prime Minister |
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "A man was arrested and is currently in custody." | A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "A man was arrested and is currently in custody." |
The security breach comes a day before the Queen is due to open the new £4.3bn Terminal 5 building. | The security breach comes a day before the Queen is due to open the new £4.3bn Terminal 5 building. |
Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen's visit to Heathrow would go ahead as planned. | Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen's visit to Heathrow would go ahead as planned. |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "I'm satisfied everything is now being done to ensure security at Heathrow is intact. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "I'm satisfied everything is now being done to ensure security at Heathrow is intact. |
"We are determined to protect all passengers and all staff who go through Heathrow and every other airport." | "We are determined to protect all passengers and all staff who go through Heathrow and every other airport." |
Clearly this incident is a matter of some concern, and will be fully investigated in conjunction with the police BAA, airports operator | Clearly this incident is a matter of some concern, and will be fully investigated in conjunction with the police BAA, airports operator |
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. | |
He also said that - while it was possible to climb such barriers - airports also have patrols, surveillance and fast-response units in place. | |
Last month protesters opposing airport expansion plans breached security to unveil a banner on top of a parked passenger jet. | Last month protesters opposing airport expansion plans breached security to unveil a banner on top of a parked passenger jet. |
Campaign groups Greenpeace and Plane Stupid both denied any involvement in this latest incident. | Campaign groups Greenpeace and Plane Stupid both denied any involvement in this latest incident. |
Aviation security expert Chris Yates described it as "extraordinarily serious" and said a lot of hard questions would now be asked of Heathrow's security. | Aviation security expert Chris Yates described it as "extraordinarily serious" and said a lot of hard questions would now be asked of Heathrow's security. |
The northern runway, also identified as 27R, was temporarily closed but is now fully operational. The southern runway remained open throughout the incident. | The northern runway, also identified as 27R, was temporarily closed but is now fully operational. The southern runway remained open throughout the incident. |
Flight delays | Flight delays |
A statement from BAA said the incident ended just before 1600 GMT. | A statement from BAA said the incident ended just before 1600 GMT. |
"Some short delays have occurred as a result, but we expect to return to normal later this afternoon. | "Some short delays have occurred as a result, but we expect to return to normal later this afternoon. |
"Clearly this incident is a matter of some concern, and will be fully investigated in conjunction with the police," the statement said. | "Clearly this incident is a matter of some concern, and will be fully investigated in conjunction with the police," the statement said. |
Passengers were being advised to contact airlines to find out whether flights have been delayed or cancelled. | Passengers were being advised to contact airlines to find out whether flights have been delayed or cancelled. |
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. |