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Heathrow Airport: Why firearms officers rushed to 'full emergency' on runway – 'serious!'


Heathrow Airport is the second busiest airport in the world with more than 80 million passengers being handled in 2018. Inside, protecting these passengers are teams of armed police brought in after the threat level was raised to severe in 2011, with an attack from al-Qaeda “highly likely” according to Department of Transport. As a result, firearms officers are advised that “use of force is down to yourselves to decide” and handle every situation with the upmost seriousness.

During ITV’s new series of “Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport” cameras followed the day in the life of two officers with clearance to carry firearms.

The narrator explains: “Every day, police patrol the five square miles of Heathrow as part of their strategy to prevent crime and terrorism.

“New boy Dave has only been working at the airport for three months, so he’s got a lot to learn.

“And with Terry’s two-and-a-half years at the airport, he’s more than willing to share his knowledge.

“But Terry’s tour around the airport has to be cut short, and it’s time to head to their blues and twos.”

However, the situation quickly turns serious and the two police officers rush off, as one of them responds on the radio.

He says: “We’ve got a full emergency at RVP South, more information is coming in as we’re going.

“With a full emergency all types of officers will go because we don’t know the severity of the call yet.”

The narrator then reveals how during full-scale emergencies, every officer in the building is expected to help.

She details: “RVP means rendezvous point south of the runway.

“A plane has taken off, but it is in trouble, a serious situation has occurred and air traffic control need to halt all aircraft movements 

“While emergency services have been alerted, Heathrow is heading to a complete standstill.

“In the air traffic control tower, emergency protocols have been triggered.

“A plane bound for New York has had to turn around due to a fault with one of the engines.”

The programme then shows the two police officers rushing towards the runway, before one of them explains the magnitude of the situation.

He says: “Worst case scenario is there’s been a major fault with the plane and there is a fire or something.

“Our role is to preserve life and to assist with any scene that there would be.”

Scores of emergency services wait on the runway, ready to react to any situation they are faced with.

Thankfully, the plane lands without any significant issues, minus some smoke on one of the engines.

Passengers then safely disembark and are put onto another plane.



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