Gatwick terminal evacuated over man's 'suspicious actions'

A 41 year-old man has been remanded in custody in connection with a major security alert at Gatwick airport on Saturday.

Jerome Chauris, 41, from Vendome, France, has been charged with possession of a dangerous article in an aerodrome and possession of a blade in a public place.

The incident, which took place at around 9.30am on Saturday, sparked a major security alert and passengers were forced to evacuate the North Terminal for six hours.

Magistrates have heard that the alert cost the airport £1.2 million in lost travel and disruption.

Chauris will re-appear Lewes Crown Court 14 December.

A Frenchman accused of going into Gatwick Airport with an air rifle and a knife is due in court later.

41 year-old Jerome Chauris, 41, from Vendome, France, is charged with possession of a dangerous article in an aerodrome and possession of a blade in a public place.

The incident, which took place at around 9.30am on Saturday, sparked a major security alert and passengers were forced to evacuate the North Terminal for six hours.

Sussex Police said: "Jerome Chauris, 41, unemployed and of no fixed address, but from Vendome, France, has been charged with possessing a dangerous article (an air rifle weapon) in any part of an aerodrome (Aviation Security Act 1982) and possessing a knife blade/sharp pointed article (a lock knife) in a public place (Criminal Justice Act 1988)."

A Frenchman has been charged with possession of an air rifle and a knife following a major security alert at Gatwick airport yesterday.

Massive disruption was caused at the North Terminal following the incident at 9.30 am when Sussex Police were alerted to the 'suspicious actions' of a 41-year-old man.

Jerome Chauris, from Vendome, is due to appear in court on Monday.

A 41-year-old French man is being questioned after "what appears to be a firearm" was discovered at Gatwick airport's North Terminal, Sussex Police say.

Gatwick Airport's North Terminal has reopened after a security alert prompted an evacuation.

The closure was prompted by the discovery of what police believed to be a firearm in a bin at the airport.

A 41-year-old man from Vendome in France was arrested at the scene on suspicion of discarding the suspected weapon.

He had not checked in or passed through any passport or security checks at the time, Sussex Police said.

The North Terminal at Gatwick was evacuated this morning after reports of a man performing 'suspicious actions'.

Sussex Police have confirmed that they have arrested a man in connection with the incident. Further details will follow.

Airline passenger Tim Unwin, who was caught up in the evacuation at the Sussex Airport, has sent out a series of messages and photographs via social media.

Sussex Police have arrested a man after an incident at Gatwick Airport. The site's North Terminal was evacuated this morning, and police called at 9.30am after 'suspicious actions' by a man who discarded an item at the airport.

Bomb disposal experts were called to the scene as a precautionary measure, to investigate the item.