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- File imag/ReutersIn a disturbing incident at London’s Heathrow Airport, 21 people, including a three-year-old girl, were caught up in chaos after a woman was attacked with pepper spray during what police believe was a suitcase robbery attempt. The incident on Sunday in the Terminal 3 car park, where dozens of people suffered the effects of the spray.
- Five of them had to be taken to the hospital for further treatment, authorities said. According to Scotland Yard, the attack unfolded when a woman was confronted by four men in a lift, who “discharged pepper spray towards her” before trying to steal her luggage.
- The irritant spread through the area, affecting others nearby. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADPolice said a 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault, while the search continues for additional suspects involved in the attempted robbery. Here’s what happened. More from Explainers UK police arrest man after people at Heathrow airport allegedly attacked with ‘form of pepper spray’ Police arrests 4 men involved in online satanic child-abuse networkAttack in Heathrow’s parking lotOfficers were called just after 8:10 am to the multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 after reports that several people had been assaulted and sprayed with an irritant.
- Police say a group of men used what is thought to be a form of pepper spray in a lift and the surrounding areas, then fled. Videos shared on social media showed armed officers sprinting through the car park while newly arrived travellers were instructed to remain inside their vehicles as a precaution. Armed Police at London Heathrow airport following an incident involving people getting pepper sprayed. The people involved knew each other, one was arrested others are being tracked after fleeing the scene.
- Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) December 7, 2025Commander Peter Stevens of the Metropolitan Police told The Telegraph that according to early findings, “a woman was robbed of her suitcase by a group of four men, who sprayed a substance believed to be pepper spray in her direction.”Editor’s Picks1UK police arrest man after people at Heathrow airport allegedly attacked with ‘form of pepper spray’ 2Did a lab leak set off Spain’s African Swine Fever outbreak?The attack, which took place inside a lift, affected not only those in the elevator but also people nearby due to the spread of the irritant.“Our officers are working to determine the full circumstances around what happened, but we do believe this to be an isolated incident and is not linked to terrorism or protest activity,” Stevens said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe ripple effect of the incident was felt across transport services.
