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Jets halted in Heathrow terror alert
Justin Davenport13.03.08
A man caused a full-scale security alert at Heathrow today after sprinting onto a runway and forcing jets to abort their take-off.
Armed police chased the suspect amid fears he was carrying a bomb in a rucksack and arrested him on the tarmac. He appeared to approach a plane as it waited to leave.
Bomb disposal experts examined the man's bag and carried out a controlled explosion on the runway. Police said no explosives were found. The extraordinary drama at 2.05pm raised questions about security.
It was hugely embarrassing for airport operator BAA as it came on the eve of the Queen officially opening the £4.3 billion Terminal 5 building. One airline spokesman described it as a "fullscale security breach".
A witness told how he watched in disbelief as the man calmly scaled the perimeter fence and then sprinted onto the northern runway. The witness said: "I first saw him as he was climbing over the perimeter fence. He jumped to the ground and then just sprinted across the runway. He seemed very determined. He had a rucksack on his back and he appeared to approach one of the planes, which was waiting to take off.
"I don't know what he was doing but then there seemed to be armed policemen everywhere. At first they seemed wary of approaching him but then he was surrounded. My first thought was he could be a suicide bomber."
Scotland Yard said the man was in custody. BAA has launched an inquiry into the breach which was less than three weeks after four Greenpeace protesters climbed on top of a jet.
One theory amongst Heathrow workers was that the man was a protester bent on causing disruption ahead of the opening of Terminal 5.
The northern runway was partially closed but later reopened.
Reader views (2)
Gordan Browns interview on this subject was so weak he looks asleep in the Commons. Lets vote Ken out for starters.
- Diana Benjamin, London
Oh for goodness sake; is every daft action in this country to be branded a "terror" attack or alert? I grew up, lived, worked and functioned quite well during the period of IRA threats in and around London - there was never the imposition, restrictions and paranoia that Brown and his government like to foster on us all in the name of "TERROR".
- Derek, Bromley, Kent
