UK police arrest man after people at Heathrow airport allegedly attacked with ‘form of pepper spray’

London Metropolitan Police arrested an armed man on Sunday following reports of an assault involving a “form of pepper spray” at a multi-storey car park at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3.

The incident, which occurred shortly after 8:00 am (0800 GMT), was reportedly triggered by an argument among “a group of people known to each other,” police confirmed. Crucially, authorities are not treating the episode as terrorism.

The Metropolitan Police dispatched armed response officers to the scene after receiving multiple reports of assaults. “A number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray by a group of men who then left the scene,” a police statement detailed. One man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody as enquiries continue to identify and trace other suspects involved.

The London Ambulance Service attended the incident, and an unknown number of victims were taken to the hospital. Police stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.

Heathrow Airport confirmed on social media that its teams and emergency services were responding to the incident at the Terminal 3 car park, advising passengers to allow extra time. Terminal 3 remained operational, though the event caused some traffic and public transport disruption.

Commander Peter Stevens assured the public that there would be an increased police presence at Heathrow throughout the morning. “Our officers responded quickly… We are not treating this incident as terrorism,” he reiterated.