British Man Arrested at Melbourne Airport After Allegedly Reaching for Police Gun

December 23, 2025 at 08:52 PM•2 min read

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) detained a British man at Melbourne Airport on December 15 after he allegedly tried to grab an officer's gun during an

Key Points

135-year-old British man Oliver Brackenbury was detained at Melbourne Airport on December 15 following an unauthorized boarding attempt.
2The man allegedly reached for an Australian Federal Police officer's holstered firearm, leading to a physical struggle.
3AFP officers deployed a Taser and OC spray to restrain the man, who now faces charges including causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.
4The incident underscores the Australian Federal Police's zero-tolerance policy for violent or disruptive behavior at airport precincts.

A British national was arrested at Melbourne Airport on December 15 following a serious airport security incident. Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers detained Oliver Brackenbury, 35, after an alleged unauthorized boarding attempt. The man was reportedly acting erratically while trying to board an international flight without a ticket.

Incident Details and Restraint

Police approached the man after receiving reports of his behavior. During the interaction, the man allegedly reached for one of the officer's holstered firearms. This alleged attempted officer gun grab escalated the situation significantly. AFP officers then attempted to restrain the man, who allegedly resisted arrest.

Authorities deployed a Taser and OC spray (pepper spray) to subdue the individual. Additional AFP officers were called to assist in the restraint. The man was taken to a hospital before being transferred into custody.

Legal Charges and Regulatory Stance

The United Kingdom national faces multiple serious charges. These include causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. He is also charged with three counts of obstruction of a Commonwealth public official. The maximum sentence for these Oliver Brackenbury charges is up to 13 years and two years, respectively. He has been remanded and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on March 16.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Emily Nicholson commented on the incident. She stated the force has "zero tolerance" for violent behavior at airports. The AFP works closely with the airline industry. They intervene if anyone's behavior becomes aggressive or violent.

Impact on Aviation Security

This high-profile airport security incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement. They must maintain strict international flight security standards. The AFP's quick response demonstrates the effectiveness of current aviation security protocols.

Airlines and airports rely on the AFP for immediate intervention. This prevents disruptive behavior from impacting operations.
The use of non-lethal force (Taser, OC spray) is part of standard procedure. It is used when managing violent resistance to arrest.
The incident reinforces the AFP's zero-tolerance policy. This policy applies to all airport disruptive behavior within their precincts.

Passengers have the right to feel safe at Australian airports. The AFP will take action against those who offend. This ensures the safety of the travelling public and staff. For more commercial aviation news and updates on global airport operations, visit flying.flights.