Key Points
- Police arrested two more suspects on Monday afternoon following an assault suspected to involve pepper spray and a robbery at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3 multi-storey car park on Sunday morning.
- A 24-year-old man from Lambeth, south London, arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault; a 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery; both remain in custody.
- A previously arrested 31-year-old man, detained close to the scene on suspicion of robbery and assault, has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
- The incident occurred at 8.11am on Sunday, prompting armed police response after reports of several people sprayed with a substance.
- Among the 21 people hurt was a three-year-old girl; five individuals required hospital treatment but were later discharged and allowed home.
- Prior to the assault, two women were robbed of their suitcases upon exiting the car park lift.
- The attack led to severe travel disruptions, leaving passengers and holidaymakers stranded for hours at airport bus stops.
Inverted Pyramid Structure
Police have made two additional arrests in connection with a suspected pepper spray assault and robbery at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3 multi-storey car park on Sunday, 7 December 2025, which injured 21 people including a three-year-old girl. The Metropolitan Police detained a 24-year-old man in Lambeth, south London, on suspicion of robbery and assault, and a 23-year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery, with both suspects currently held in custody. Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man arrested near the scene has been released under investigation as detectives continue their enquiries.​
What Triggered the Police Response at Heathrow?
Armed police were mobilised to Terminal 3 at 8.11am on Sunday following reports that several individuals had been sprayed with a substance in the multi-storey car park. As detailed in the Metropolitan Police statement, officers arrested the initial 31-year-old man on suspicion of robbery and assault close to the scene, though he has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue. The sequence of events began when two women were robbed of their suitcases after stepping out of the car park lift, preceding the alleged pepper spray assault.​
Who Were the Victims in the Pepper Spray Incident?
A total of 21 people sustained injuries in the attack, prominently including a three-year-old girl among those affected. Five victims were transported to hospital for treatment and subsequently allowed to return home. Holidaymakers and passengers reported being stranded for hours at airport bus stops amid the severe travel disruptions caused by the incident.​
What Are the Details of the Latest Arrests?
On Monday afternoon, officers arrested the 24-year-old man in Lambeth, south London, specifically on suspicion of robbery and assault, according to the Metropolitan Police. In a related development, the 23-year-old woman was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery, with both individuals remaining in custody at this stage. These arrests mark a significant progression in the investigation into the Sunday morning events at Heathrow.​
Why Was a Man Released Under Investigation?
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the 31-year-old man, arrested close to the scene on suspicion of robbery and assault, has been released under investigation while enquiries continue. This decision reflects ongoing detective work to establish full circumstances surrounding the suitcase robbery and subsequent pepper spray assault. No further details on his status were immediately provided by authorities.​
How Did the Attack Disrupt Heathrow Operations?
The pepper spray incident triggered widespread travel chaos at Heathrow Airport, with passengers and holidaymakers left stranded for hours at bus stops. Armed police presence and the multi-storey car park lockdown contributed to the delays, exacerbating frustrations for those navigating the busy terminal area. Reports highlighted the scale of disruption, underscoring the incident’s impact on Sunday travellers.​
What Is Known About the Suspected Weapon Used?
The assault is suspected to have involved pepper spray, based on reports from multiple affected individuals in the multi-storey car park. Detectives are examining evidence related to the substance used following the robbery of two women’s suitcases. The precise nature of the irritant remains under forensic scrutiny as part of the broader investigation.​
Who Is Leading the Investigation?
The Metropolitan Police are spearheading the probe into the robbery and assault at Heathrow’s Terminal 3. Officers continue to appeal for witnesses and information to aid in piecing together the events from 8.11am Sunday. Both newly arrested suspects, the 24-year-old man and 23-year-old woman, are being held as key lines of enquiry develop.​
When Did the Key Events Unfold?
The robbery of the suitcases occurred immediately prior to the pepper spray assault, with armed police called at precisely 8.11am on Sunday to Terminal 3. Additional arrests followed on Monday afternoon, targeting the 24-year-old man in Lambeth and the 23-year-old woman. The 31-year-old man’s release under investigation came amid these ongoing developments.​
Where Exactly Did the Incident Occur?
The events centred on the multi-storey car park at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3, where victims exited a lift before the suitcase robbery and subsequent spray attack. Lambeth, south London, emerged as the location for the 24-year-old man’s arrest on Monday. The airport’s operational hub status amplified the disruption from the police response.​
What Happens Next in the Probe?
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police persist with enquiries, holding the 24-year-old man and 23-year-old woman in custody. The released 31-year-old man remains under investigation status, pending further evidence. Authorities have not ruled out additional arrests as they reconstruct the timeline from the car park lift robbery to the mass exposure incident.
