This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-22374309
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Gatwick Airport: Controlled explosions carried out | Gatwick Airport: Controlled explosions carried out |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Controlled explosions have been carried out on a van in Gatwick Airport's North Terminal car park. | Controlled explosions have been carried out on a van in Gatwick Airport's North Terminal car park. |
| Sussex Police said a bomb disposal unit was called after suspicions were raised about a blue Renault van as it entered the car park at 14:40 BST. | Sussex Police said a bomb disposal unit was called after suspicions were raised about a blue Renault van as it entered the car park at 14:40 BST. |
| Officers were unable to locate the driver or see inside the van. | Officers were unable to locate the driver or see inside the van. |
| After the controlled explosions police said they found "nothing of concern" in the vehicle and restrictions began to be lifted at 21:15. | After the controlled explosions police said they found "nothing of concern" in the vehicle and restrictions began to be lifted at 21:15. |
| They are now looking for two men who entered the car park in the untaxed, uninsured and unregistered van. | They are now looking for two men who entered the car park in the untaxed, uninsured and unregistered van. |
| The men were seen to push up a barrier to gain access to the car park before leaving the van on the ground floor. | The men were seen to push up a barrier to gain access to the car park before leaving the van on the ground floor. |
| 'Most unusual' | 'Most unusual' |
| Officers said they contacted the bomb disposal unit after attempts to locate the men failed and they became worried there could be something heavy in the back. | Officers said they contacted the bomb disposal unit after attempts to locate the men failed and they became worried there could be something heavy in the back. |
| Several controlled explosions were carried out to gain entry to the vehicle. | Several controlled explosions were carried out to gain entry to the vehicle. |
| Witnesses reported an increase in armed police at the airport. | Witnesses reported an increase in armed police at the airport. |
| Insp Gary Medland, from Gatwick Police, said: "There is nothing to link the vehicle with terrorist activity and there is a strong possibility that the two men dumped the van as they headed for a flight. | Insp Gary Medland, from Gatwick Police, said: "There is nothing to link the vehicle with terrorist activity and there is a strong possibility that the two men dumped the van as they headed for a flight. |
| "Enquiries are under way to establish whether this was the case and we are obviously very keen to talk to the men involved. | "Enquiries are under way to establish whether this was the case and we are obviously very keen to talk to the men involved. |
| "We are aware that the closure of the car park caused some disruption to people travelling to and from the North Terminal by vehicle, but this was a most unusual event and the safety of those visiting and working at the airport must take priority." | "We are aware that the closure of the car park caused some disruption to people travelling to and from the North Terminal by vehicle, but this was a most unusual event and the safety of those visiting and working at the airport must take priority." |
| Gatwick Airport said the incident has not affected any incoming or outgoing flights. | Gatwick Airport said the incident has not affected any incoming or outgoing flights. |