Pair arrested at Stansted Airport after aircraft sprayed with paint

Two women have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after orange paint was sprayed over private jets at Stansted Airport in Essex.

Police were called to a private area of the airfield at 5:10 BST after reports two people had gained access and caused damage to two aircraft.

In a post on X, Just Stop Oil claimed responsibility and claimed singer Taylor Swift’s aircraft had been parked there.

Stansted Airport denied Swift’s jet was at the airfield.

Just Stop Oil said it was “demanding an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030”.

An airport spokesman said protesters had entered the private aviation area of the airfield, away from the runway and main passenger terminal.

“As a precaution, runway operations were suspended for a short period, but no flights were disrupted, and the airport and flights are operating as normal,” he added.

Chief Supt Simon Anslow said: “I would like to reassure passengers and the wider public that we are well prepared and resourced to deal with incidents of this nature.

“Almost immediately after we were made aware of this incident, which took place away from the main passenger terminal, we were on the scene.

“We maintain a constant presence at the airport and this presence will be heightened over the summer period.

“We have a good working relationship with Manchester Airport Group and Stansted Airport to ensure you can go about your travels with minimal impact.

“We are not anti protest but we will always take action where criminal acts take place.”