Arrests at Leeds Bradford Airport rise despite fewer alcohol incidents

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 12:01 · Archive

Arrests at Leeds Bradford Airport rose to 235 in the year to August 2026, but alcohol-related arrests fell to 14.

Arrests at Leeds Bradford Airport have risen over three years despite a sharp fall in alcohol-related incidents, according to newly released Freedom of Information figures. Between September 2025 and August 2026, 235 arrests were made at the airport, up from 226 the previous year and 195 in 2023-24.

Alcohol-related arrests have fallen steadily over the same period, dropping from 28 in 2023-24 to 22 in 2024-25 and 14 in the latest year. Violence against the person remained the most common offence category, accounting for 45 arrests in the latest year, compared with 48 in 2024-25 and 43 in 2023-24. This classification covers a broad range of offences, including lower-level assaults as well as more serious violent crimes.

Burglary arrests rose from two to six over the past year, while sexual offence arrests climbed from four in 2023-24 to 11 in the latest period. The rise in arrests coincided with record passenger numbers at the airport, which increased from 3.99 million in 2023 to 4.45 million in 2025.

Inspector Kevin Lowther, who heads the airport policing team, said police have 'recently increased our presence at the site' and work with airlines to 'proactively target disruptive behaviour and intervene early'.

How it is being reported

• Leeds Bradford Airport arrests - here's how many were alcohol-relatedViolence against the person remained the most common offence category, accounting for 45 arrests in the latest year.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 19 Oct, 11:44
• Leeds Bradford Airport arrests - here's how many were alcohol-relatedViolence against the person remained the most common offence category, accounting for 45 arrests in the latest year.The Press (York) · 19 Oct, 11:44

In this story: Leeds Bradford Airport · Inspector Kevin Lowther · Civil Aviation Authority

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem