Three passengers have been arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax on an easyJet plane at Stansted Airport.

Essex Police responded to a security alert onboard the plane, which was due to leave Stansted to Amsterdam on Wednesday evening, forcing the airport runway to close while the aircraft was moved to another area.

Officers searched the aircraft but then said they were ‘satisfied there is nothing of concern on board’.

Two men aged 18 and 22 and an 18-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax.

The three are in custody, according to local reports.  

Essex Police said: “We want to thank the other passengers on board for their patience and understanding.”

Last week a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Manchester was diverted to Stansted, accompanied by RAF Typhoons, following a report of a ‘potential threat on board’.