Controlled explosion carried out after 'suspicious package' found at Stansted Airport

30 October 2021, 14:40 | Updated: 30 October 2021, 18:14

A man has been arrested and a controlled explosion has been carried out after a "suspicious package" was found in the security area of Stansted Airport.

The airport was evacuated early on Saturday afternoon, with Essex Police confirming a "suspicious package" had been found in the security area, later confirming it was a bag.

At 4.40pm police confirmed that, whilst the terminal remained partially closed, the incident had been "dealt with".

The force said a controlled explosion had taken place, and initial assessments suggested there was "nothing of concern" in the bag.

They added that a man had been arrested in connection with the incident, and said he remained in custody while investigations continued.

Stansted Airport later confirmed the cordon had been lifted and the security area had reopened, although they said there was ongoing disruption to outbound flights and advised passengers to check their flight with the airline.

"Essex Police have lifted the cordon and the security area has reopened," said the statement.

"As a result of our security processing area being temporarily closed, some passengers due to travel on remaining outbound flights may be impacted.

"Arriving flights continue to operate as normal.

"Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.

"We thank passengers for their patience and understanding."

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Essex Police previously said military explosive experts were to assess the object.

Details on which part of the airport was evacuated were not immediately released.

In a statement Stansted Airport said the security processing area was "temporarily closed" but confirmed that arrival flights were "operating as normal".

"Following reports of a suspicious package in the security area a partial evacuation of the terminal has taken place as per standard procedure," the statement read.

"This has resulted in our security processing area being temporarily closed, and this may impact passengers due to travel on outbound flights at this time.

"Arriving flights are operating as normal.

"Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline and we thank all those impacted for their understanding."

A Twitter user at the airport put up footage of shutters being pulled over a duty free shop.

"Stansted Airport has been partly evacuated. People asked to leave the stores leaving the shopping carts behind, and being closed in a hurry. What is going on please?" the user wrote.

The airport's Twitter account said: "Following reports of a suspicious package in the security area, a partial evacuation of the terminal is taking place.

"Essex Police are managing the response and will provide an update on the situation soon."

This story is being updated.