Leeds Bradford Airport arrests - here's how many were alcohol-related
Officers on patrol at Leeds Bradford Airport (Image: WYP)
Arrests at Leeds Bradford Airport have risen over the past three years despite a sharp fall in alcohol-related incidents, newly released figures show.
Freedom of Information figures show 235 arrests were made at the airport between September 2025 and August 2026, up from 226 the previous year and 195 in 2023-24.
However, alcohol-related arrests have fallen steadily over the same period, dropping from 28 in 2023-24 to 22 in 2024-25 and just 14 in the latest year.
Increased police presence at site
Commenting on the figures, Inspector Kevin Lowther - who heads the airport policing team -said: “We continue to work closely with our colleagues at Leeds Bradford Airport to ensure the safety of the public at this key transport hub for the region.
“We have recently increased our presence at the site and also work alongside the airlines to proactively target disruptive behaviour and intervene early.
Leeds Bradford Airport (Image: Telegraph & Argus)
“The total number of arrests for the last two years is only a tiny fraction of the millions of passengers who travel through the airport each year, and it’s reassuring to see a reduction in the number of alcohol-related arrests year on year.”
What else was revealed?
Violence against the person remained the most common offence category, accounting for 45 arrests in the latest year, compared with 48 in 2024-25 and 43 in 2023-24.
The classification covers a broad range of offences, including lower-level assaults as well as more serious violent crimes.
Burglary arrests rose from two to six over the past year, while sexual offence arrests climbed from four in 2023-24 to 11 in the latest period.
Passenger numbers have also increased
The rise in arrests came as passenger numbers at the airport reached record levels.
Civil Aviation Authority figures show passenger numbers rose from 3.99 million in 2023 to 4.22 million in 2024 and 4.45 million in 2025.
Passenger numbers during the first eight months of 2026 were higher than the equivalent period in 2025 in six of the eight months recorded, suggesting the airport is on course for another busy year.
What did Leeds Bradford Airport say?
Joselyn Jones, Leeds Bradford Airport’s director of external affairs, said the fall in alcohol-related arrests reflected work by the airport, police and airlines.
Leeds Bradford Airport with a view over Leeds city centre. Photo by Steve Davey, T&A Camera Club. (Image: Steve Davey, T&A Camera Club)
She said: “The vast majority of the millions of passengers who travel through Leeds Bradford Airport every year do so responsibly, and it's encouraging to see a continued reduction in alcohol-related arrests.
“This positive trend reflects the strong partnership between the airport, the police, and our airline colleagues, all working together to promote safe and respectful travel.”
She added: “LBA is committed to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment for our customers, colleagues and visitors, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure Leeds Bradford Airport remains a great place to travel from and through.”