Chaos erupted at one of the world’s busiest airports on Sunday morning, December 7, 2025, after a pepper spray attack and robbery in the multi-storey car park of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3 left 21 people injured, including a three-year-old girl. The incident, which occurred at 8:11 a.m., sent shockwaves through passengers and staff, causing hours of travel disruption and raising immediate concerns about airport security.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the drama began when two women were robbed of their suitcases after stepping out of the car park lift. As the robbery unfolded, the attackers sprayed what authorities believe to be pepper spray in the direction of the women, but the effects quickly spread, impacting a much larger group of bystanders in the vicinity. “During the robbery, the men sprayed a substance believed to be pepper spray in the direction of the women. This substance affected those in the vicinity, causing minor injuries,” the Met Police told TravelMole.
Within minutes, armed police were on the scene, responding to reports of several people suffering from the effects of the spray. The London Ambulance Service treated 21 people at the scene, five of whom required hospital treatment for minor injuries. Fortunately, all hospitalized individuals were later discharged, but the incident left many shaken. The youngest victim, a three-year-old girl, was among those affected, highlighting how indiscriminate and chaotic the attack had been.
The immediate aftermath at Heathrow was nothing short of hectic. Passengers described being stranded for hours at airport bus stops as authorities cordoned off the area, searching for suspects and ensuring the safety of travelers. The attack caused severe travel disruption, with many holidaymakers and business travelers left in limbo, anxiously waiting for updates. Some passengers, caught in the confusion, struggled to rebook flights or connect with loved ones.
As the investigation unfolded, the Metropolitan Police were quick to clarify one critical point: the incident was not terrorism related. “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,” Commander Peter Stevens of the Met Police explained to TravelMole. This statement helped to calm some of the immediate fears that the attack was part of a broader security threat at the airport, but it did little to lessen the sense of unease among travelers and staff.
In the hours following the attack, police arrested a 31-year-old man near the scene on suspicion of robbery and assault. However, by Monday, December 8, authorities had expanded their investigation, leading to the arrest of two more suspects: 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. Both were taken into custody for further questioning. The initial 31-year-old suspect was released under investigation, with police emphasizing that inquiries were ongoing.
“Officers arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of robbery and assault close to the scene. He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue,” the Met Police told The Guardian. The two newly arrested suspects remain in custody as detectives piece together the sequence of events and the relationships between those involved.
While the pepper spray attack was initially shrouded in uncertainty, the police’s swift action and clear communication helped to dispel rumors and provide some measure of reassurance. The Metropolitan Police made it clear that the incident was part of a targeted robbery attempt, not a random act of violence or terrorism. “An investigation established that, prior to the assault, two women were robbed of their suitcases after getting out of the car park lift,” the Met Police reiterated to TravelMole.
The use of pepper spray in a crowded public space such as an airport car park is particularly alarming. Pepper spray, though legal for police use in the UK, is classified as a prohibited weapon for civilians. Its deployment in this context not only endangered the intended victims but also put dozens of bystanders at risk, underscoring how quickly a targeted crime can spiral into a mass casualty incident.
For Heathrow Airport, the incident was a stark reminder of the challenges facing large transportation hubs in maintaining both security and the smooth flow of passengers. The airport, which handles tens of millions of travelers each year, has robust security protocols, but incidents like this reveal the vulnerabilities that can arise in public-access areas such as car parks and transit points. The travel disruption that followed—stranded passengers, delayed journeys, and heightened anxiety—served as a testament to the ripple effect a single criminal act can have on a global gateway.
For many travelers, the ordeal was a rude interruption to their journeys, with some expressing frustration at the lack of information and the length of the delays. Others, however, praised the emergency response teams for their professionalism and speed. The London Ambulance Service’s ability to treat so many people on-site and the rapid deployment of armed police helped prevent further escalation and provided a measure of comfort to those caught in the chaos.
As the investigation continues, detectives are working to establish the full circumstances of the attack, the motives behind it, and whether any other individuals may have been involved. The fact that those arrested appear to be known to each other suggests a premeditated plan rather than a random attack, but police have not ruled out further arrests or developments.
The incident has also reignited discussions about the safety of public spaces in and around airports, especially as the holiday travel season approaches. Security experts note that while airports are well-defended against large-scale threats, smaller, opportunistic crimes remain a persistent challenge. The use of pepper spray—a weapon designed to incapacitate—raises uncomfortable questions about how such substances are obtained and the potential for future misuse.
For now, Heathrow Airport is operating as normal, but the memory of Sunday’s events lingers. Passengers and staff alike are left to reflect on the vulnerability that comes with travel—and the importance of vigilance, both from authorities and the public. As police continue their work, one thing is clear: even in the most secure environments, unexpected dangers can arise, and the response—in speed, transparency, and care—makes all the difference.