POLICE have praised the patience and understanding shown by passengers at Stansted following today's terrorist alert.Thousands of air passengers across the country endured a day of mounting travel chaos as anti-terror checks led to hundreds of flight cancellations and long delays at airports.

POLICE have praised the patience and understanding shown by passengers at Stansted following today's terrorist alert.

Thousands of air passengers across the country endured a day of mounting travel chaos as anti-terror checks led to hundreds of flight cancellations and long delays at airports.

Superintendent Alison Newcomb, from Essex Police said: “People are quite rightly upset and disappointed but they do appear to be very understanding and patient.

“We have had to make no arrests and I'm not aware of any issues where people have had to be spoken to.

“We do have extra police at the airport, our aim is to present a high visibility to reassure the public and to ensure that everyone is safe.

“Obviously the Metropolitan Police are leading on this operation and we are involved because Stansted is in our area.

“We had some traffic problems this morning but they were cleared without too much problem.

“We would ask people to remain vigilant and report anything they think is suspicious.

“We would also urge them to check with their airlines tomorrow before setting out for the airport. The last thing we want is unnecessary congestion and problems on the road.”