Gatwick airport evacuation: man charged with possessing air rifle and knife
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Version 0 of 1. A Frenchman has been charged with possession of an air rifle and a knife, following a major security alert at Gatwick airport on Saturday. Massive disruption was caused at the north terminal following the incident at 9.30am when Sussex police were alerted to “suspicious actions”. Jerome Chauris, from Vendome, in the Loir-et-Cher region, is due to appear in court on Monday. Sussex police said the unemployed 41-year-old of no fixed address had been charged with possessing a dangerous article and a knife in a public place. Police alleged a man was seen to discard an item in an airport bin in the “landside” area of the airport which precedes the security checks. Explosives officers carried out a small controlled explosion and also recovered what they said appeared to be a firearm which was removed for forensic examination. Police evacuated the north terminal after the alert, allowing passengers and staff to return about six hours later. The south terminal remained operational throughout. Detective Superintendent Nick May said on Saturday the terror attacks in Paris had led to “heightened awareness around any such incident and it is best that we treat the matter in all seriousness”. Passengers were evacuated from the north terminal in the rain and taken to nearby hotels. Chauris is due to appear at Crawley magistrates court. |