A man has been arrested following a disturbing assault in which a group used a substance similar to pepper spray on multiple people at Heathrow Airport. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, causing significant disruption and leading to emergency services treating over twenty individuals.
Chaos in the Multi-Storey Car Park
Metropolitan Police officers were called to the multi-storey car park at Heathrow's Terminal 3 at 8:11am on Sunday, 7 December 2025. They responded to reports of an assault involving several victims. Armed police attended the scene swiftly, where they discovered a number of people had been sprayed with an irritant believed to be a form of pepper spray.
The group of men responsible for the attack fled before officers arrived. The London Ambulance Service provided immediate medical assistance, confirming they treated a total of 21 patients at the scene. Of these, five were taken to hospital for further care. Authorities have stated that none of the injuries are considered life-threatening or life-changing.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
The arrested man remains in police custody as the hunt continues for other suspects involved in the Heathrow Airport incident. Commander Peter Stevens addressed the public, providing crucial context about the event. "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 stated.
He assured the public that there would be an increased police presence at the airport throughout the morning to continue inquiries and ensure safety. Scotland Yard has explicitly confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terrorism. Despite the chaos, Terminal 3 remains open, though travellers experienced some traffic disruption and were advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Official Statements and Public Advice
Heathrow Airport issued a statement on social media platform X, confirming their teams were responding to the incident alongside emergency services. They advised passengers to check directly with their airlines for any travel updates.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones added: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the incident at Heathrow this morning. My heartfelt thanks go to the emergency services for their rapid response – and the arrest made." She urged anyone in the area to follow police advice.
Commander Stevens concluded by thanking the public for their cooperation during the response. The Metropolitan Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward by calling 101 and quoting reference CAD 1803/7 DEC.
