A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after a number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray at Heathrow Airport, police have said.
Police and emergency services were called at 08:11 GMT on Sunday to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 after reports of an alleged assault by a group of men.
The man is in custody while police search for other suspects. 21 victims were treated at the scene with five taken to hospital, the London Ambulance Service said.
The force said it was an isolated incident and was not being treated as terrorism or protest-related. There has been disruption to rail services and Heathrow is advising passengers to “allow extra time when travelling to the airport “.
Met Commander Peter Stevens said: “At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured.”
He added officers “responded quickly” and there would be “an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport throughout the morning”.
Social media footage showed a large armed police response, fire engines and an officer appearing to search a handcuffed individual.
The Heathrow Express and parts of the Elizabeth Line were suspended on Sunday morning while responders attended the scene. Trains have resumed but are running with delays, National Rail said.
Heathrow has advised passengers to “allow extra time when travelling to the airport and to check with their airline for any queries”.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said they were called to assist emergency responders at Heathrow Airport at 08.14 GMT on Sunday. Firefighters remain at the scene, they added.
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