Police rushed to Stansted Airport after a flight heading to Heathrow was intercepted by an RAF Typhoon before arriving at its destination. 

A spokesperson for London Stansted Airport said: "A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 (flight number KQ100) diverted into London Stansted at just before 3.45pm. 

"The aircraft, which was en route from Nairobi to London Heathrow, landed safely and was escorted to a remote stand with Essex Police in attendance."

Essex Police confirmed that officers are on the site in a tweet that read: "We are currently attending an incident at Stansted Airport.

"A flight travelling from Nairobi to Heathrow was diverted to Stansted this afternoon (Thursday 12 October).

"The airport remains open."

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A resident of Steeple Bumpstead, near Clare in Suffolk, said that the plane was so loud and flying incredibly low over the rural village that he checked a flight app to check what was going on. 

The flight was intercepted by an RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon, which disrupts any potential threats or rogue aircraft in UK airspace. 

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched as a precaution this afternoon to investigate a civilian aircraft that was approaching the UK.

“The civilian aircraft remained in contact with air traffic controllers throughout and was escorted to Stansted airport where it landed safely. This incident is now under the control of the civilian authorities.”

Essex Police have now left the airport, and posted an update on X, formerly Twitter: "Officers have established there is nothing of concern on board a flight diverted to #Stansted Airport.

"The plane has been handed back to the airport which has remained operational throughout."

Eight fire and rescue crews also attended the scene.