Toddler Among 21 Victims in Pepper Spray and Robbery Attack at London Airport

London police arrested a 31-year-old man Sunday in connection with a robbery at Heathrow Airport that left 21 people, including a 3-year-old child, requiring medical treatment after being exposed to pepper spray.

The incident occurred Sunday morning in a Heathrow parking garage elevator when four men robbed a woman of her suitcase and sprayed what authorities believe to be pepper spray in her direction. The irritant affected not only the victim but also nearby passengers in the elevator and surrounding area.

“At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured,” said Commander Peter Stevens of the Metropolitan Police in an official statement.

According to witnesses, the suspects appeared to be three young men dressed entirely in black with their heads covered. They fled the scene immediately after the attack. Dramatic footage captured police officers armed with large firearms rushing through the multi-story parking garage in response to the incident.

The Metropolitan Police were quick to clarify that they are not treating this as a terrorism-related incident, emphasizing that the victim and suspects were acquainted with each other. “I understand the public’s concerns and would like to thank those in the area for their cooperation this morning,” Commander Stevens added.

Emergency responders treated victims at the scene, with ambulance crews transporting five people to hospital. Authorities have confirmed that none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening. Among those affected were 21 individuals, including the young child, who required medical attention after exposure to the irritant.

The incident caused significant disruption at one of the world’s busiest international airports. Travelers faced hours of delays both arriving at and departing from Heathrow, though airport operations have since returned to normal according to a statement posted by Heathrow Airport on social media.

Airport security incidents have become increasingly concerning at major transportation hubs worldwide. While this case appears to be a targeted confrontation rather than a random attack, it nonetheless highlights the vulnerability of crowded public spaces and the rapid response protocols that authorities must implement when such situations arise.

The use of chemical irritants like pepper spray in enclosed spaces poses particular dangers, as evidenced by the number of bystanders affected in this incident. The enclosed environment of the elevator likely exacerbated the spread of the irritant, explaining why so many people required treatment.

Authorities have detained the 31-year-old suspect on suspicion of assault, while an active search continues for the remaining suspects who managed to escape. The Metropolitan Police have not yet released details about the suspects still at large or the specific circumstances that led to the confrontation.

This incident comes amid heightened security measures at international airports globally, where law enforcement agencies maintain vigilance against various threats ranging from terrorism to organized crime. Heathrow Airport, serving approximately 80 million passengers annually pre-pandemic, implements multi-layered security protocols to manage such incidents.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to apprehend the remaining suspects and determine the full circumstances surrounding the robbery and assault. Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist with their inquiries.