Suspicious van sparks Gatwick security alert
A security scare at Gatwick Airport ended safely last night after police carried out controlled explosions of a suspicious van found in the North Terminal car park.
Restrictions were placed around the car park and passengers travelling to the North Terminal by car were diverted after Sussex Police bomb disposal unit was called due to concerns about a blue Renault van as it entered the short-stay car park at 14:40 yesterday.
Two men were seen pushing up a barrier to gain access to the car park and leaving the untaxed, uninsured and unregistered van on the ground floor of the multi-storey block.
Police were unable to locate the driver or seen inside the van, which they believed might contain something heavy in the back.
After the controlled explosions, police said they found nothing of concern and restrictions were lifted shortly after 21:00.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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