29/07/2009

Man Carrying Gun In Airport Shot With Taser

A man, who was spotted carrying a handgun at Gatwick Airport on Wednesday, has been shot with a Taser by police.

The suspect, thought to be in his 40s and from Crawley, boarded a bus from the town, and a passenger raised the alarm after seeing him with the weapon.

Sussex Police said he arrived at the airport and was confronted by armed police on routine patrol who disarmed him with a Taser.

Ch Supt Paul Morrison said: "This incident was dealt with promptly by my officers.

"Such incidents are rare and the speed and professionalism in which it was resolved meant that no-one at the airport was harmed."

Geoff Williams, Head of Security at Gatwick Airport, added: "The joint security arrangements between the airport and the police worked effectively to resolve the situation and without injury."

He added that there was no suggestion that threats had been made to passengers or aircraft.

(JM/BMcC)

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