One crew member and three passengers were hurt when a drunken man allegedly "went berserk" on a transatlantic jet.

The incident reportedly began when the man - who police said had been causing "prolonged problems" - tried to kick open one of the doors.

PC Geoff Knight of Gatwick police said the flight deck of flight CO18 from Newark, USA, to London alerted police during the incident.

Officers arrested a man after the plane landed.

'Appalling behaviour'

PC Knight said: "The incident must have been terrifying for the passengers on board.

"It must be very frightening when someone goes berserk in such a confined space.

"We take a robust approach to this appalling behaviour," he added.

No one was badly hurt during the ordeal that left a number of passengers traumatised.

A 31-year-old man arrested at Gatwick on Monday night was released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Police said the man was from Scotland, but they were unable to give any further details.