Man charged after trying to seize officer's firearm at Melbourne Airport

An individual was arrested and charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) at Melbourne Airport (MEL) following an aggressive confrontation where he allegedly attempted to seize an officer's firearm. The 35-year-old UK national was initially approached by officers on Tuesday evening after reports indicated he was acting erratically and attempting to board an international flight without a valid ticket.

During the interaction, the man allegedly reached for an AFP officer’s holstered weapon. Officers subsequently attempted restraint, leading to resistance, which necessitated the deployment of a Taser and OC spray before additional personnel secured the individual. The man has been charged with multiple offenses, including causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, and is scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 16.

This incident underscores the AFP's heightened vigilance against disruptive and violent behavior across Australian aviation precincts. The AFP emphasized its zero-tolerance policy, noting a separate recent incident where a man was charged at Sydney International Airport (SYD) for making anti-Semitic threats and mimicking a firearm toward a passenger during a flight from Bali. AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Emily Nicholson affirmed the right of the community to feel safe, stating the police will take decisive action against offenders.