Police descended on Manchester Airport on Sunday evening after an unauthorised car meet spiralled into chaos, with dozens of vehicles racing at high speed through vital service tunnels.
Scenes of Disruption Under the Runways
The incident unfolded at approximately 7:30pm on Sunday, 14 December 2025. Eyewitnesses reported that a large crowd of around 100 people gathered to watch as a convoy of roughly 40 cars engaged in dangerous driving within the tunnels that run beneath the airport's active runways.
One spectator described the event as "mayhem," stating that drivers were "racing up and down" the confined space for about ten minutes. The vehicles were seen beeping horns and revving engines loudly, creating a significant disturbance in the area.
Major Police Response and Road Closures
Greater Manchester Police responded in force to the scene. Officers moved quickly to secure the area, closing off the road to prevent further movement. To halt the speeding vehicles, police deployed stingers—devices designed to puncture tyres and safely stop cars.
Traffic was brought to a standstill for at least 30 minutes as officers conducted a systematic operation, going from car to car to gather the details of those involved.
Consequences and Official Statement
In the aftermath of the disruption, police took decisive action. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that one vehicle was seized and recovered. Furthermore, officers issued three formal warnings to vehicle owners in connection with the illicit gathering.
The incident caused considerable disruption to the airport's perimeter and raised serious safety concerns, given the critical infrastructure involved. The police response underscored a low tolerance for such organised, dangerous activities on key transport networks.
