A couple who were detained during the Gatwick Airport drone chaos in December 2018 have been awarded £200,000 in compensation and legal costs after settling out of court with Sussex police. Drone sightings near the runways over a three-day period during the peak Christmas period caused chaos, with the airport being repeatedly forced to close. The incident led to the airport being closed for 30 hours, disrupting 1,000 flights and more than 140,000 passengers. Paul and Elaine Gait were held by police for 36 hours after 12 armed officers stormed their home. This was despite the fact they did not possess any drones and had been at work during the reported sightings. They were released without charge, and later sued Sussex police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. The couple, from Crawley, said in a statement: “We are delighted to have finally received vindication, it has been a very long fight for justice. The sums being paid by Sussex police and letter received from the assistant chief constable are confirmation of our innocence and wrongful treatment. “It has taken lengthy legal proceedings to obtain resolution from the police and to finally have closure on this distressing time. We look forward to moving on and putting this terrible episode behind us.” They say despite the apology they still have “no explanation” for why they were held “incommunicado” for 36 hours. In a letter to the couple shared by their legal team, Sussex police assistant chief constable David Miller said he was “deeply sorry” they had experienced “the unpleasantness of arrest and detention”. He said: “I acknowledge that this would have been a traumatic time for you both. Unfortunately, when the police carry out their functions on behalf of the public, sometimes innocent people are arrested as part of necessary police investigations in the public interest. “I understand that you believe that you were unlawfully arrested and detained by Sussex police officers. This is an issue which can only be resolved by a court. “However, we recognise that things could have been done differently and, as a result, Sussex police have agreed to pay you compensation and legal costs.” Miller also confirmed the force commissioned a “thorough independent review” of the drone incident. Following the announcement, the police put out an update on the investigation into the chaos caused by the drone sightings. Sussex police has concluded that “at least two drones were behind the attack” and said 96 people “of interest” were identified, researched and ruled out during the investigation. In a statement, Miller said: “This was a serious and deliberate criminal act designed to endanger airport operations and the safety of the travelling public. A drone strike can cause significant damage to an aircraft in flight and it is important to emphasise that public safety was always at the forefront of our response. No aircraft was damaged or passenger injured.” Miller said the drone incident was an “unprecedented set of circumstances for all agencies involved”. He added: “Measures now available have strengthened our capability to respond to and investigate a similar incident in the future.” Sussex police said its investigation centred on 129 separate sightings of drone activity, 109 of these from credible witnesses used to working in a complex airport environment including a pilot, airport workers and airport police. Through corroborated witness statements, it established that at least two drones were in operation during this period and the offender, or multiple offenders, had detailed knowledge of the airport. Witness statements showed activity happened in “groupings” across the three days on 12 separate occasions, varying in length from between seven and 45 minutes. On six of these occasions, witnesses clearly saw two drones operating simultaneously. The policing operation and subsequent investigation has cost £790,000. No one has ever been charged over the incident.