AN aeroplane passenger was arrested on suspicion of a hate crime immediately after landing at an airport.

Essex Police officers arrested a 55-year-old man at Stansted Airport just before 4pm on Friday as he stepped off a flight from Belgium.

The man has since been taken to an Essex Police station where he is being questioned.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Officers immediately launched an investigation after being made aware of a video on social media of a man being subjected to harassment.

He had simply been taking his seat on board an aeroplane before it departed from Stansted Airport on November 4.

Essex Police's chief superintendent Tom Simons, who is leading the investigation, said: “Essex Police will not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind.

“Having been made aware of the incident this morning, officers worked quickly to secure an arrest at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The enquiry is ongoing and anyone who has information or who may have phone footage of the incident is asked to call Essex Police on 101.