This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-46709353
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Gatwick drones: Sussex Police 'sorry' for arrested couple | Gatwick drones: Sussex Police 'sorry' for arrested couple |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Sussex Police's chief constable has said he feels "really sorry" for the couple who were held for 36 hours over the Gatwick Airport drones chaos. | Sussex Police's chief constable has said he feels "really sorry" for the couple who were held for 36 hours over the Gatwick Airport drones chaos. |
Paul Gait and Elaine Kirk, who were released without charge, said they felt "violated" after their home was searched and their identities exposed. | Paul Gait and Elaine Kirk, who were released without charge, said they felt "violated" after their home was searched and their identities exposed. |
Giles York told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was "convinced the grounds for arrest were well-founded". | Giles York told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was "convinced the grounds for arrest were well-founded". |
Two drones found near the airport have been ruled out of being involved. | Two drones found near the airport have been ruled out of being involved. |
Mr York defended the decision to hold Mr Gait for an extended period, despite his employer saying he was at work during the drone flights. | Mr York defended the decision to hold Mr Gait for an extended period, despite his employer saying he was at work during the drone flights. |
He added: "I'm really sorry for what [Mr Gait] has experienced and the feeling of violation around it. | He added: "I'm really sorry for what [Mr Gait] has experienced and the feeling of violation around it. |
"[But] what might have been worse as an experience for him would have been to be released under investigation still. | "[But] what might have been worse as an experience for him would have been to be released under investigation still. |
"We were able to exhaust all our lines of inquiry on that first instance and were able to release him from police custody saying he was no longer a suspect." | "We were able to exhaust all our lines of inquiry on that first instance and were able to release him from police custody saying he was no longer a suspect." |
About 1,000 flights were affected during the chaos between 19 and 21 December when drones were seen near the runway. | About 1,000 flights were affected during the chaos between 19 and 21 December when drones were seen near the runway. |
A suggestion by a senior Sussex police officer that there may have been no drones was later dismissed as a "miscommunication". | A suggestion by a senior Sussex police officer that there may have been no drones was later dismissed as a "miscommunication". |
Mr York said police received 115 reports of sightings, including 93 confirmed as coming from "credible people", which he later said included a pilot, airport staff and police officers. | |
He admitted police drones launched to investigate could have caused "some level of confusion". | |
However, the Sussex force later denied the use of police drones had caused any disruption. | |
Mr York revealed two drones found by police near the airport had now been ruled out of causing the chaos, which saw flights cancelled or diverted. | |
Despite searches of 26 potential sites, he said: "I don't think we have found the drone responsible." | Despite searches of 26 potential sites, he said: "I don't think we have found the drone responsible." |
However, he said he was "absolutely certain that there was a drone flying throughout the period that the airport was closed". | However, he said he was "absolutely certain that there was a drone flying throughout the period that the airport was closed". |
He confirmed military technology had been installed following the incidents, "dramatically" improving security at the airport, but said he could not rule out future disruption of the same kind. | |
Sussex Police has renewed its appeal for help to find "the criminal whose activities led to widespread disruption". | |
Mr York said: "Public safety remains a priority and what we are dealing with is both unprecedented and challenging. | |
"There will be information relevant to this inquiry within the community and, with a £50,000 reward on offer for information from Gatwick Airport Limited, it is vital that people come forward so we can bring to justice the person responsible for this criminal act." |