A major railway station connected to a busy London airport has been evacuated over reports of a man with two firearms.
Gatwick Airport’s train station had to be cleared out after reports of a man on a train reportedly in possession of two firearms, according to police.
Police officers were waiting for the train to arrive at the station with man boarding at Brighton today (February 20). The train arrived into Gatwick Airport’s station at 1:25pm.
One traveller at the station said it was “chaos” as people were evacuated from the busy station with large crowds forming outside. British Transport Police and Sussex Police confirmed the man has been arrested on arrival.
Officers later revealed that the two firearms were not real and were in fact “imitation”.
(Image: Surrey Mirror)
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A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said: “We received a report at 12.45pm on 20 February of a man on board a train from Brighton with a firearm.
“Sussex Police officers met the train at Gatwick Airport, and arrested a man in possession of two imitation firearms. BTP officers are investigating.”
Sussex Police also confirmed the arrest was made at Gatwick Airport.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Sussex Police detained a man on a train at 1.25pm on 20 February, when it pulled into Gatwick Airport.
“He was arrested for possession of two imitation firearms. BTP officers are investigating.”
Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Southern Rail have all confirmed all lines are “now open” at Gatwick Airport’s train station.
In a shared statement, they said: “All lines are now open through Gatwick Airport and trains can call here once more
“We are now working on getting Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express services that run to, from or through Gatwick Airport back on time
“For all journeys, you can now travel using your usual route, but journey times could still be extended – please allow an additional 30 minutes to reach your destination.”
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