Man Arrested at Gatwick Airport With Imitation Firearms

LONDON (Azat TV) – A man was arrested at Gatwick Airport train station on Friday, February 20, 2026, after British Transport Police (BTP) officers intercepted a train following reports of a passenger carrying firearms. The individual was found in possession of two imitation weapons, leading to the temporary evacuation of the busy station and significant disruptions to rail services, although airport operations were largely unaffected.

The incident, which unfolded shortly after midday, prompted an immediate response from emergency services, including BTP and Sussex Police, underscoring heightened security protocols at one of the UK’s busiest transport hubs. The swift action ensured public safety despite the initial alarm caused by the reports.

Gatwick Airport Incident Unfolds

British Transport Police confirmed that they received a report at 12:45 PM on February 20 regarding a man on board a train from Brighton who was believed to be carrying a firearm. Officers met the train when it pulled into Gatwick Airport station at approximately 1:25 PM. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of ‘chaos’ as the station was cordoned off and passengers were evacuated.

Sussex Police officers made the arrest, detaining the man in possession of what were later confirmed to be two imitation firearms. The individual’s identity has not been released, and the motives behind carrying the imitation weapons in such a high-security environment remain under investigation by BTP officers, as reported by The Mirror and The Standard.

Travel Disruption and Emergency Response

The immediate aftermath of the incident led to considerable travel disruption. Gatwick Airport’s train station was temporarily closed, with services initially not stopping at the hub. National Rail issued warnings to passengers using Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Southern Rail, and Great Western Railway services to expect delays due to an ‘ongoing incident’ in the area.

Despite the station evacuation and train service halts, Gatwick Airport itself continued to operate. The train station reopened after a brief closure, though some residual delays persisted as services readjusted. This rapid reopening and the distinction that airport services were largely unaffected helped mitigate broader travel chaos, demonstrating effective coordination between transport authorities and law enforcement.

Imitation Firearms Spark Security Concerns

The discovery of imitation firearms, rather than live weapons, significantly altered the nature of the threat, but the incident still triggered a full-scale emergency response due to the initial reports. Authorities are trained to treat all potential firearm threats seriously until confirmed otherwise, especially in sensitive locations like airports.

This event highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transport security, where the mere presence or report of a suspicious item can lead to widespread disruption, regardless of its actual threat level. The incident at Gatwick Airport underscores the importance of public vigilance and rapid police intervention in maintaining safety across national infrastructure, even when the perceived danger is ultimately diffused by the nature of the items involved.