Arrests at Liverpool John Lennon Airport have increased by 42% over two years, with sexual offence arrests surging 1,300% and firearm-related arrests also on the rise. Figures obtained by the ECHO through a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request show that Merseyside Police made 173 arrests in 2023, rising to 216 in 2024 and 246 in 2025.
Sharp rise in sexual and immigration arrests
The largest percentage increase came from sexual offence-related arrests, which jumped from just one in 2023 to 14 in 2025. Immigration arrests also rose significantly, from 11 to 29 over the same period. In 2025, sexual offences tied with public order offences at 14 arrests each, while violence-related arrests rose from 21 in 2023 to 39 in 2025.
Contrary to assumptions, alcohol-related arrests were not the top category. They totalled nine in 2023, rising to 16 in 2025, ranking fourth highest out of 20 categories. Arrests for drugs also increased from seven in 2023 to 12 in 2025.
Firearm and other notable arrests
Firearm-related arrests appeared in the data for the first time in 2024 with one arrest, rising to two in 2025. Other categories such as burglary, fraud, and theft also saw fluctuations. The category labelled "(blank)" remained the highest each year, with 98 in 2023, 101 in 2024, and 86 in 2025. Merseyside Police did not elaborate on what this category represents.
Passenger numbers and context
Despite the rise in arrests, the number of arrests each year represents around 0.004% of passengers. Over 5.6 million passengers passed through the airport in 2025, a record-breaking year, up from 5.1 million in 2024 and 4.2 million in 2023. The expansion of services from easyJet, Ryanair, and Jet2 contributed to the growth.
Inspector Beth Blake from Merseyside Police’s Airport Policing Team said: “Merseyside Police works closely alongside Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Border Force officials, security teams, and businesses based at the airport, both to provide a visible presence and to respond when crimes are reported. Considering the increasing number of millions of people using the airport per year, arrest numbers are low, and this demonstrates the excellent work between our agencies, and the comprehensive CCTV and other crime prevention tools in operation. Arrests also include people who are wanted and intercepted at the airport. This can be in relation to a variety of offences so while the arrests are recorded at the airport, the offences have often occurred elsewhere, either in the UK or internationally.”
Ryanair CEO's call for pre-flight alcohol ban
The ECHO investigated the data after Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary called for a ban on early morning pre-flight pints. He said the measure would reduce disruptive passengers onboard aircraft. O'Leary stated that Ryanair is forced to divert nearly one flight daily due to bad behaviour, up from one per week a decade ago. In an interview with The Times, he said: “It’s becoming a real challenge for all airlines. I fail to understand why anybody in airport bars is serving people at five or six o’clock in the morning. Who needs to be drinking beer at that time?”
Liverpool John Lennon Airport declined to comment on the arrest figures.
Full breakdown of arrests by year
2023: (blank) 98, Violence 21, Immigration 11, Alcohol 9, Drugs 7, Motoring 3, Other 3, Public Order 3, Theft Shop 3, Burglary Other 2, Fraud or Forgery 2, Theft Other 2, Theft Person 2, Burglary Dwelling 1, Fraud 1, Possession of Other Weapons 1, Robbery 1, Sexual 1, Theft From Vehicles 1, UTMV or Theft of MV 1. Total: 173.
2024: (blank) 101, Violence 29, Immigration 25, Alcohol 13, Sexual 10, Public Order 9, Drugs 6, Other 6, Burglary Other 4, Theft Other 3, Theft Shop 3, Bail 1, Burglary Dwelling 1, Criminal Damage 1, Firearms 1, Fraud 1, Motoring 1, Robbery 1. Total: 216.
2025: (blank) 86, Violence 39, Immigration 29, Alcohol 16, Public Order 14, Sexual 14, Drugs 12, Other 12, Theft Shop 4, Burglary Dwelling 3, Criminal Damage 3, Theft Person 3, Firearms 2, Fraud 2, Fraud or Forgery 2, Burglary Other 1, Motoring 1, Possession of Other Weapons 1, Robbery 1, Theft Other 1. Total: 246.
