The Metropolitan Police has issued a clear warning to protesters who plan to ‘shut down Heathrow Airport’ on the 18th June that they could face life in prison.
In a statement, Deputy Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Laurence Taylor said that “If flown into the path of an aircraft, a drone has potential to cause great harm to those on board.
“Endangering the safety of an aircraft can result in a life sentence.
“We would urge anybody intending to join this event with a view to committing criminal activity, whether considered peaceful or not, to strongly reconsider.
“The airport is part of our national infrastructure, and we will not allow the illegal activity of protesters to cause disruption and misery to thousands.”
Covert and Overt policing around London Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) has been stepped up following the threat from Extinction Rebellion last month.
Since a sustained drone “attack” on Gatwick airport last year airports and security services have invested in counter measures that will mitigate these style of attacks as well as working with the police.
Systems available include “hacking” systems which fly the drone back to the user to allow police to apprehend them and system to “knockout” drones to prevent them from being a threat.
Extinction Rebellion wants expansion at the UK’s busiest airport halted.