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Man arrested over Heathrow alert Man arrested over Heathrow alert
(about 1 hour 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 as 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. Police said a man was arrested and a controlled explosion of a bag found nothing suspicious. They later said the incident was not terrorism-related.
Gordon Brown said everything was being done to ensure security at the airport, as some passengers experienced delays. The alert, which delayed some flights, comes a day before the Queen will open Heathrow's new Terminal 5 building.
The BBC's Ben Ando said police received numerous 999 calls at 1405 GMT from members of the public. BBC correspondent Ben Ando said police had received numerous 999 calls at 1405 GMT from members of the public.
Royal visitRoyal 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. It is understood a message sent from the pilot to air traffic control alerting them to a man on the runway may have been overheard by the police, allowing them to act swiftly.
The rucksack was recovered and explosives officers called in as a precaution. Up to 20 emergency services vehicles were reportedly sent to the scene where the rucksack was recovered and the controlled explosion was carried out.
We are determined to protect all passengers and all staff who go through Heathrow and every other airport Gordon Brown, Prime MinisterWe 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 being held in custody.
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 to open the new £4.3bn T5 building would go ahead on Friday 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 operatorClearly 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. But he said that while it was possible to climb such barriers, airports also had patrols, surveillance and fast-response units in place.
"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.
Flight delays
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
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.


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