Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal was evacuated “for the protection of the public” this morning after a suspicious item was found.
Hundreds of people were photographed standing outside the airport in the rain after being told to leave the airport at around 10am.
Witnesses said armed police were arresting a man believed to have a gun in his bag.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police told The Independent she could not confirm the reports of a security alert but said the evacuation was a precaution "to protect the public" sparked by the discovery of a "suspicious article".
The force later confirmed that a man had been arrested at the scene.
“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.”
Tim Unwin, a geography professor at the University of London, wrote on Twitter that the incident started shortly before 10am, when the terminal’s first floor was closed and check-in was moved.
He said the full evacuation started around 10 minutes later.
It comes amid heightened security in the UK following a wave of terror attacks targeting a stadium, concert and restaurants in Paris last night.
