Pair arrested over drone chaos at Gatwick Airport released without charge

“Our inquiry continues at a pace to locate those responsible for the drone incursions, and we continue to actively follow lines of investigation."

Two people who were arrested in conjunction with the widespread disruption of flights at Gatwick Airport have been released without charge. Flights were delayed, services disrupted and the airport itself shut down for some time after drone activity was discovered in the airspace on Wednesday night (19 December). Over 100,000 people were affected when hundreds of flights were grounded from Wednesday until Friday. The arrested pair, reportedly one man and one woman, "fully co-operated" with police enquiries and were subsequently ruled out as suspects. In a statement issued on Sunday morning, Sussex police confirmed their release. “Both people have fully co-operated with our enquiries and I am satisfied that they are no longer suspects in the drone incidents at Gatwick," said Sussex Police Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley. “It is important to remember that when people are arrested in an effort to make further enquiries it does not mean that they are guilty of an offence and Sussex Police would not seek to make their identity public. “Our inquiry continues at a pace to locate those responsible for the drone incursions, and we continue to actively follow lines of investigation." Gatwick Airport Limited has offered a £50,000 reward via Crimestoppers for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the criminal act that disrupted flights.