Man armed with two kitchen knives is tasered at Gatwick Airport

A man was Tasered at Gatwick airport (file image)
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A man has been arrested at Gatwick Airport after attempting to go through security wielding a kitchen knife in each hand and making "threats to kill", police have confirmed.

Holidaymakers were evacuated from the baggage claim area in the airport’s South Terminal, after the knifeman was spotted heading towards the departure gates at around 2am on Monday morning.

CCTV footage showed the man striding through a security area holding a six-inch blade in each hand, sending staff fleeing in fear.

He was then intercepted by two armed police officers, who tasered and handcuffed him, seizing his weapons.

Sussex Police confirmed the arrest at 1.55am on Monday, saying in statement: “The area was secured and the man was challenged by officers, who used Taser to detain him. This is not being treated as terrorist-related.

“A 30-year-old man from Crawley, who was not a travelling passenger, has been arrested on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons and making threats to kill. He currently remains in police custody.”

Superintendent Justin Burtenshaw said: “Officers at Gatwick are there to keep passengers and staff safe. This incident was dealt with swiftly and no members of the public or police were harmed.”

Gatwick Airport said the airport was temporarily evacuated but is now operating normally, after passengers were allowed to return at 2.45am.

A 29-year-old witness named Adam described the event, saying: “Our baggage hadn't come through yet and we got an emergency tannoy saying there was a nasty incident and we must evacuate as soon as possible.

“The first thing I noticed was the baggage handlers leg it. There was a mad rush,” he told the Mirror Online.

“We are a bit shaken up. It was very much a close call,” he added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police online or phone 101, quoting serial 0089 of 03/06.

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