In pictures: Man arrested at Heathrow after pepper spray attack
At least 21 people were injured in a pepper spray attack at Heathrow Airport on Sunday.
Fire engines and ambulances rushed to the incident, with one man arrested by police.
Images show emergency services at Heathrow Airport after a pepper spray attack on Sunday (X/Twitter: @_umarjaved)
Fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene (X/Twitter: @_umarjaved)
At least 21 people were injured (X/Twitter: @_umarjaved)
Maira Butt7 December 2025 18:36
Policing minister urges people to ‘follow police advice’
Policing minister Sarah Jones has urged those affected by today’s incident to “follow police advice”.
In a post on X she wrote: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the incident at Heathrow this morning.
“My heartfelt thanks go to the emergency services for their rapid response – and the arrest made. I am being regularly updated on the investigation.
“Those in the area should follow police advice.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 18:30
Simon Calder: Closure of transport links triggered missed flights
The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder is reporting that a number of people have missed flights after a “pepper spray attack” caused key transport links to close.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “If any customers are delayed as a result of the disruption and are unable to make their flight, our teams can support with rebooking onto the next available service once they get in touch with us – either at the ticket desk or by calling in to our customer centre”
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 18:00
‘I believed I was in a terror attack,’ witness says
A passenger who landed at Heathrow Airport this morning and witnessed the attack has described the experience as “terrifying”.
Tom Bate said he and others around him “suddenly” started coughing as he felt burning in his throat.
“I thought I was in a terrorist attack,” he told Sky News.
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 17:30
Police issue appeal for information
Police have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after 21 people needed medical attention following a “pepper spray attack”.
Officers said they have arrested one man but are searching for a number of others believed to be involved.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 101, quoting CAD 1803 7 DEC.
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 17:00
Here’s everything we know after police descended on Heathrow Airport this morning:
• Police were called to the Terminal 3 car park at 8.11am on Sunday morning following reports of a “group of men” attacking people with a “form of pepper spray”
• It is understood that a woman was robbed of her suitcase by a group of four men
• One man aged 31 was arrested at the scene as officers launched a manhunt for other suspects
• Paramedics cared for 21 people at the scene including a three-year-old girl, and transported five of those to hospital
• Those affected are not believed to have life-threatening or life-changing injuries
• Passengers at Heathrow Airport have faced severe disruption to transport links throughout Sunday, although all roads and rail lines are now open
• The incident is not being treated as terror-related
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 16:30
Police say woman was targeted in suitcase robbery
In an update, the police said they believe a woman was robbed of her suitcase by four men.
A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault within nine minutes of the report coming in. He remains in custody and enquiries remain ongoing to locate further suspects.
The London Ambulance Service treated 21 people with injuries, including a three-year-old girl who was treated at the scene. Five people were taken to hospital with non-life-changing or life-threatening injuries.
Commander Peter Stevens from the Met said: “Our team have been working at pace today to review CCTV from the area and speak with witnesses at the scene.
“At this stage, it’s understood that a woman was robbed of her suitcase by a group of four men, who sprayed a substance believed to be pepper spray in her direction.
“This occurred within a car park lift, with those in the lift and surrounding area affected by the spray.
“Our officers are working to determine the full circumstances around what happened but we do believe this to be an isolated incident with those directly involved known to each other.
“We appreciate that this has been a concerning incident and I commend the actions of the emergency services and members of staff at Heathrow airport.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 16:27
In pictures: Police swoop on Heathrow Airport after ‘pepper spray’ attack
(Andrew Matthews/PA)
(Ellie Crab/PA)
An emergency vehicle outside Heathrow Terminal 3 (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 16:00
Passengers waiting hours for taxis
People stuck at Heathrow Airport have described waiting for two hours to get a taxi after this morning’s incident.
Speaking to Sky News, Aleksandra said it took her more than two hours to get a cab back to Windsor.
She added: “The car park was quite chaotic at Terminal 2, with many people waiting for taxis.
“My taxi driver wasn’t aware what was going on and was stuck in traffic for more than an hour on the slip road to Terminal 2.”
Passengers also reported long delays and overcrowding on public transport links to Heathrow.
Elizabeth line passengers queuing to exit Heathrow T2/3 station (Zhanna Manukyan/PA) (PA Wire)
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 15:30
Five taken to hospital after 21 ‘cared for’
Five people were rushed to hospital after this morning’s attack, which police said involved a “form of pepper spray”.
Paramedics initially cared for 21 at the scene, with five needing hospital treatment, London Ambulance Service said.
They are not believed to have life-threatening or life-changing injuries.
Nicole Wootton-Cane7 December 2025 15:00