Britain's Gatwick Airport re-opens after evacuation

Britain’s Gatwick Airport said on Saturday it had re-opened the North Terminal following an evacuation due a suspicious item found at the airport earlier in the day.

The terminal at Britain’s second busiest airport was found to be safe after a search by police.

Gatwick Airport evacuated its North Terminal and a man was arrested Saturday after the discovery of a suspect package, hours after attacks in Paris claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group killed 128 people.

“Police were called at around 9.30am (0930 GMT) on Saturday following suspicious actions by a man who discarded an item at the airport. The man was arrested,” police in southern Sussex said.

Bomb disposal experts were on the scene, and extra airport staff drafted in to look after passengers.

“At this time, we are investigating the circumstances of the incident and it is too early to say what the item may be,” said detective superintendent Nick May.

“However, given the events in Paris on Friday evening, there is heightened awareness around any such incident.

“People should be aware as usual of anyone acting suspiciously,” he added.

Gatwick is one of Britain’s busiest airports, handling 39 million passengers travelling to 200 destinations every year.

British security services are on high alert following the attacks on a rock concert, restaurants and national football stadium.

Britain’s Foreign Office earlier updated its travel advice for British nationals in France, urging them to “exercise caution in public places and follow the advice of the local authorities.”

Eurostar services between London and Paris were running as usual on Saturday, despite initial concerns that French borders would be closed following the attacks.

Britain's terror threat remains at its second highest "severe" level, Prime Minister David Cameron said after a meeting of the government's emergency response committee.