UPDATE: Investigation continues into assault at Heathrow

Police are continuing to investigate an assault at Heathrow Airport.

Officers were called at 08:11hrs on Sunday, 7 December to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of a group of people being assaulted.

Armed officers responded to the incident and arrested a 31-year-old man 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 child who was treated at the scene. Five people were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.

Commander Peter Stevens 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.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 101, quoting CAD 1803 7 DEC.