London terminal evacuated, man detained

A man is being questioned by police after a suspicious item was found, forcing the evacuation of a terminal at Britain's Gatwick Airport.

A terminal of London's Gatwick Airport has been evacuated, with police detaining a man and investigating a "suspicious item".

"Due to an incident, the North Terminal has been evacuated as a precautionary measure," the airport, in the southern county of Sussex, said on Twitter on Saturday.

"Extra staff [are] on site looking after passenger welfare."

Sussex police confirmed the terminal was evacuated "following suspicious actions by a man who discarded an item at the airport".

Officers arrested him and were investigating the item.

"At this time, we are investigating the circumstances of the incident and it is too early to say what the item may be," Detective Superintendent Nick May said.

"However, given the events in Paris on Friday evening, there is heightened awareness around any such incident and it is best that we treat the matter in all seriousness.

"We are aware that there is concern about what has happened in France but the general threat level remains the same and people should be aware as usual of anyone acting suspiciously."


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Source: AAP



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