A man has been charged after allegedly trying to board a flight without a ticket and attempting to seize an officer’s firearm during a scuffle with federal police at a major Australian airport.
Police said the 35-year-old man was arrested about 5pm on Tuesday following allegedly aggressive behaviour towards federal police at Melbourne Airport.
Officers first responded after receiving reports a man had attempted to board an international flight without a ticket, while acting erratic.
Police began speaking with the man, when they claim he reached for one of the officer’s holstered firearms.
"AFP officers then attempted to restrain the man and is alleged he resisted arrest," a federal police spokesperson said.
"A Taser and OC spray were subsequently deployed before additional AFP officers were requested to assist in restraining the man."
The United Kingdom national has since been charged with multiple offences including causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
He has been remanded and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 16.
It comes as police remain on high alert for antisocial, violent or disruptive behaviour at airports across the country.
A man was charged on Wednesday after making anti-Semitic threats and using his hand to mimic a gun toward a female passenger during a flight from Bali.
Federal police arrested the man once the flight landed at Sydney International Airport, before he was charged with threatening force or violence against members of groups.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Emily Nicholson said the community had the right to feel safe at Australian airports.
“The AFP works closely with the airline industry and will intervene if anyone’s behaviour becomes aggressive or violent,” Det Acting Supt Nicholson said.
“The AFP has zero tolerance for antisocial, violent or disruptive behaviour at our airport precincts, and we will take action against those who offend.”
