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Extinction Rebellion protesters who disrupt Heathrow Airport with drones could face life behind bars, the government has warned.

The climate activist group has vowed to “shut down” Heathrow for 10 days this summer by flying drones near the airfield.

But Baroness Vere countered on Friday: "Flying drones near an airport is a serious criminal offence and using drones to deliberately put people's safety at risk carries a maximum life sentence.

"No government has done more to reduce carbon emissions, and Britain is at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change.

"Any illegal activity must be met with the full force of the law."

The Met has said it will take "firm action against any protester seeking to cause disruption". It comes after the Extinction Rebellion group brought parts of London to a standstill during two weeks of demonstrations in April.

But an expert has warned the airport and the police may have no way of dealing with a sustained drone attack.

Gatwick chaos - In pictures 21 show all Gatwick chaos - In pictures 1/21 Marisa age 10 from West Sussex waiting for a bus to Manchester airport then onto Dubai for a family Christmas Jeremy Selwyn 2/21 Adele Barber mother and kids Philip James and Elizabeth Just back from their holiday in Lapland to see Father Christmas. They were delayed overnight in Lapland Jeremy Selwyn 3/21 Elizabeth Barber Just back from a holiday to Lapland to see Father Christmas with family . Jeremy Selwyn 4/21 Staff try to lift the mood of gloomy travellers Jeremy Selwyn 5/21 Passengers boarding coaches at Gatwick this morning Jeremy Selwyn 6/21 Passengers sleep on the floor of the terminal 7/21 Passengers sleep on the floor of the terminal 8/21 Passengers sleep on the floor of the terminal 9/21 Passengers sleep on the floors and seats of the terminal 10/21 Jeremy Selwyn 11/21 Passengers head for the coaches to catch redirected flights Jeremy Selwyn 12/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 13/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 14/21 Florinane Tarrou and Sandra Shaffner stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 15/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 16/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 17/21 Remi Denton 19 and boyfriend Dylan Batley amongst passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 18/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 19/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 20/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 21/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 1/21 Marisa age 10 from West Sussex waiting for a bus to Manchester airport then onto Dubai for a family Christmas Jeremy Selwyn 2/21 Adele Barber mother and kids Philip James and Elizabeth Just back from their holiday in Lapland to see Father Christmas. They were delayed overnight in Lapland Jeremy Selwyn 3/21 Elizabeth Barber Just back from a holiday to Lapland to see Father Christmas with family . Jeremy Selwyn 4/21 Staff try to lift the mood of gloomy travellers Jeremy Selwyn 5/21 Passengers boarding coaches at Gatwick this morning Jeremy Selwyn 6/21 Passengers sleep on the floor of the terminal 7/21 Passengers sleep on the floor of the terminal 8/21 Passengers sleep on the floor of the terminal 9/21 Passengers sleep on the floors and seats of the terminal 10/21 Jeremy Selwyn 11/21 Passengers head for the coaches to catch redirected flights Jeremy Selwyn 12/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 13/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 14/21 Florinane Tarrou and Sandra Shaffner stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 15/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 16/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 17/21 Remi Denton 19 and boyfriend Dylan Batley amongst passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 18/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 19/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 20/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn 21/21 Passengers stranded at Gatwick Airport today Jeremy Selwyn

Professor David Dunn, who recently spoke at Parliament about drone threats, said airport bosses "haven't really got an answer" if there was multiple drones in multiple directions.

Heathrow has military grade anti-drone technology, but Prof Dunn said that would be seriously tested if the airport is bombarded with a stream of devices in "waves".

Prof Dunn, a professor in international politics at the University of Birmingham, likened Extinction Rebellion's threat to the drone incident at Gatwick Airport in December last year, which affected roughly 140,000 passengers and 1,000 flights.

Extinction Rebellion protest 2019 - In pictures 120 show all Extinction Rebellion protest 2019 - In pictures 1/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London PA 2/120 Protesters march toward Parliament in London AP 3/120 A cardboard cutout of David Attenborough is held up as protesters march toward parliament with Nelson's Column in the background AP 4/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 5/120 Protesters at the Extinction Rebellion (XR) camp in Marble Arc PA 6/120 Police watch Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 7/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters reach their final destination of Parliament Square in WestminsteR PA 8/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London Jeremy Selwyn 9/120 Police officers arrest and carry away a climate change activist from a demonstration blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 10/120 olice officers gather for an operation at the climate change camp where activists are blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 11/120 Police surround the Extinction Rebellion demonstration PA 12/120 A climate change activist is detained during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 13/120 A police officer removes a haystack during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 14/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 15/120 Protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus EPA 16/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge PA 17/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 18/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 19/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 20/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 21/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capital PA 22/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 23/120 Two men and two women from the Extinction Rebellion group have glued themselves to a fence outside Jeremy Corbyn's house PA 24/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist at Waterloo Bridge Reuters 25/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station 26/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station BBC 27/120 A climate activist after he glued himself to a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 28/120 Police detain a protester as climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station Reuters 29/120 Protesters blockade of Waterloo Bridge on the third day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion grou Alex Lentati 30/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 31/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 32/120 Police talk to climate activists who climbed on top of a Dockland Light Railway train and glued theimselves to the carriage at Canary Wharf station in east London PA 33/120 A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train AFP/Getty Images 34/120 Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 35/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 36/120 Officers carry an activist as they remove demonstrators from their blockade of Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 37/120 A member of the public passes a graffiti left by protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group EPA 38/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridg Getty Images 39/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridge during the second day of a coordinated protest by the Extinction Rebellion group Getty Images 40/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist REUTERS 41/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group, in London AFP/Getty Images 42/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 43/120 Commuters cycle past a pink boat placed in the road at Oxford Circus by activists, on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 44/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, London, as more than 100 people have been arrested as police deal with ongoing climate change protests PA 45/120 Activists sit in the road amongst trees as they continue to block traffic from Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 46/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 47/120 Activists sit with thier tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 48/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 49/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 50/120 An activist brushes his teeth after waking up near Marble Arch AFP/Getty Images 51/120 Pedestrians walk to work over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protest EPA 52/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 53/120 Activists take part in yoga in the road after after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 54/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 55/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, PA 56/120 Activists sit with their tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 57/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 58/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 59/120 Pedestrians walk over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 60/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 61/120 Activists lay in their tents in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 62/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 63/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 64/120 An activist sits in a sleeping back after waking up near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 65/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 66/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 67/120 Activists block the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 68/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 69/120 Activists pour drinks near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 70/120 Activists' tents stand in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 71/120 Activists prepare drinks from a tent in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 72/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 73/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 74/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 75/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 76/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 77/120 An activist sprays graffiti on to the porch covering the entrance to the Shell Centre AFP/Getty Images 78/120 Protesters unfurl a poster accusing shell of 'ecoside' AFP/Getty Images 79/120 Climate protesters also scaled the building and daubed slogans above a glass awning AFP/Getty Images 80/120 A woman glued her hands to the door of the building Reuters 81/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion arrive to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 82/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus with a sailing boat to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 83/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 84/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 85/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group arrive with a tree to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 86/120 A demonstrator uses a makeshift skateboard ramp on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 87/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 88/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 89/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 90/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 91/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 92/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 93/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge surrounded by trees Reuters 94/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 95/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 96/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 97/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 98/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 99/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 100/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 101/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 102/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 103/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 104/120 Police stroll through the makeshift camp Jeremy Selwyn 105/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest i Reuters 106/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 107/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 108/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 109/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 110/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 111/120 The Extinction Rebellion protesters have set up camp in Hyde Park PA 112/120 The group plan to disrupt London's infrastructure in a climate protest PA 113/120 Thousands of people are due to descend on the capital to take part Jeremy Selwyn 114/120 They have set up a large camp in Hyde Park Jeremy Selwyn 115/120 A crowd of protesters gathers in Hyde Park, London PA 116/120 A protester sits in a hammock at the campsite Jeremy Selwyn 117/120 The protest could last days or even weeks Jeremy Selwyn 118/120 They have pledged to block five central locations including Parliament Square in a non-violent act of resistance PA 119/120 Protesters will converge on Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, as well as near Parliament, peacefully blocking traffic PA 120/120 A protester sits by an activity timetable in Hyde Park PA 1/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London PA 2/120 Protesters march toward Parliament in London AP 3/120 A cardboard cutout of David Attenborough is held up as protesters march toward parliament with Nelson's Column in the background AP 4/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 5/120 Protesters at the Extinction Rebellion (XR) camp in Marble Arc PA 6/120 Police watch Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 7/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters reach their final destination of Parliament Square in WestminsteR PA 8/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London Jeremy Selwyn 9/120 Police officers arrest and carry away a climate change activist from a demonstration blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 10/120 olice officers gather for an operation at the climate change camp where activists are blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 11/120 Police surround the Extinction Rebellion demonstration PA 12/120 A climate change activist is detained during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 13/120 A police officer removes a haystack during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 14/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 15/120 Protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus EPA 16/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge PA 17/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 18/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 19/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 20/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 21/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capital PA 22/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 23/120 Two men and two women from the Extinction Rebellion group have glued themselves to a fence outside Jeremy Corbyn's house PA 24/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist at Waterloo Bridge Reuters 25/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station 26/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station BBC 27/120 A climate activist after he glued himself to a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 28/120 Police detain a protester as climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station Reuters 29/120 Protesters blockade of Waterloo Bridge on the third day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion grou Alex Lentati 30/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 31/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 32/120 Police talk to climate activists who climbed on top of a Dockland Light Railway train and glued theimselves to the carriage at Canary Wharf station in east London PA 33/120 A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train AFP/Getty Images 34/120 Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 35/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 36/120 Officers carry an activist as they remove demonstrators from their blockade of Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 37/120 A member of the public passes a graffiti left by protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group EPA 38/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridg Getty Images 39/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridge during the second day of a coordinated protest by the Extinction Rebellion group Getty Images 40/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist REUTERS 41/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group, in London AFP/Getty Images 42/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 43/120 Commuters cycle past a pink boat placed in the road at Oxford Circus by activists, on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 44/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, London, as more than 100 people have been arrested as police deal with ongoing climate change protests PA 45/120 Activists sit in the road amongst trees as they continue to block traffic from Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 46/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 47/120 Activists sit with thier tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 48/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 49/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 50/120 An activist brushes his teeth after waking up near Marble Arch AFP/Getty Images 51/120 Pedestrians walk to work over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protest EPA 52/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 53/120 Activists take part in yoga in the road after after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 54/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 55/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, PA 56/120 Activists sit with their tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 57/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 58/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 59/120 Pedestrians walk over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 60/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 61/120 Activists lay in their tents in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 62/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 63/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 64/120 An activist sits in a sleeping back after waking up near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 65/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 66/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 67/120 Activists block the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 68/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 69/120 Activists pour drinks near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 70/120 Activists' tents stand in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 71/120 Activists prepare drinks from a tent in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 72/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 73/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 74/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 75/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 76/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 77/120 An activist sprays graffiti on to the porch covering the entrance to the Shell Centre AFP/Getty Images 78/120 Protesters unfurl a poster accusing shell of 'ecoside' AFP/Getty Images 79/120 Climate protesters also scaled the building and daubed slogans above a glass awning AFP/Getty Images 80/120 A woman glued her hands to the door of the building Reuters 81/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion arrive to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 82/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus with a sailing boat to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 83/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 84/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 85/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group arrive with a tree to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 86/120 A demonstrator uses a makeshift skateboard ramp on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 87/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 88/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 89/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 90/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 91/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 92/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 93/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge surrounded by trees Reuters 94/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 95/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 96/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 97/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 98/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 99/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 100/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 101/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 102/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 103/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 104/120 Police stroll through the makeshift camp Jeremy Selwyn 105/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest i Reuters 106/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 107/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 108/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 109/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 110/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 111/120 The Extinction Rebellion protesters have set up camp in Hyde Park PA 112/120 The group plan to disrupt London's infrastructure in a climate protest PA 113/120 Thousands of people are due to descend on the capital to take part Jeremy Selwyn 114/120 They have set up a large camp in Hyde Park Jeremy Selwyn 115/120 A crowd of protesters gathers in Hyde Park, London PA 116/120 A protester sits in a hammock at the campsite Jeremy Selwyn 117/120 The protest could last days or even weeks Jeremy Selwyn 118/120 They have pledged to block five central locations including Parliament Square in a non-violent act of resistance PA 119/120 Protesters will converge on Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, as well as near Parliament, peacefully blocking traffic PA 120/120 A protester sits by an activity timetable in Hyde Park PA

He said: "Gatwick was probably two drones. But the underlying question is: What do you do if you have multiple drones, multiple directions, multiple wave incursions? They have not really got an answer for that.

"It depends how many there were, how coordinated they were and it would require a major police operation."

The academic warned any policing operation would be "very expensive and require a lot of manpower".

He added Heathrow's location inside the M25 also makes unleashing drones easier for activists, who could use gardens or car boots as launch pads.

Flights would likely be halted if drones were spotted anywhere on flight paths or inside the perimeter of the airport.

"Within five minutes they could be inside the operation space," said Prof Dunn. "That would cause them to halt.

Heathrow Airport through the years - In pictures 25 show all Heathrow Airport through the years - In pictures 1/25 1978 Welcome to Heathrow Evening Standard 2/25 1936 The entrance to the Great West Aerodrome now Heathrow Airport Daily Mail 3/25 1946 A wartime bomber waits on a runway at what was London Airport, where workmen are laying cinders on a waterlogged section of the airfield. The first plane to take off was a converted Lancaster bomber Getty Images 4/25 1946 Traffic clerk Doreen Haines walking French children along the runway to their plane home Getty Image 5/25 1965 The Queen's Building (left) and the No.1 Building Europa Getty Images 6/25 1962 The scene after Britain had been hit by the worst blizzard since 1947 7/25 1962 The BEA West London Air Terminal on Cromwell Road. The site served as a check-in facility for travellers Getty Images 8/25 1965 Tourists waiting at during the luggage porters' strike Getty Images 9/25 1966 The Beatles just before they set out for America for their 1966 tour Getty Images 10/25 1966 Muhammad Ali waves as he boards his plane Evening Standard 11/25 1969 The Queen, accopanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, views a window shopping display whilst touring the opening of Terminal One at what had been renamed as Heathrow Daily Mail 12/25 1970 A Pan Am Boeing 747 is seen just after landing after its first commercial flight AFP/Getty Images 13/25 1973 Farewell waves from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they board an Air Canada aircraft for their tour of Canada Daily Mail 14/25 1975 Thirty-five winners wave good-bye before departing on Concorde's first public passenger flight Getty Images 15/25 1978 An aerial view of Heathrow Airport, terminus and runway, and the surrounding area Evening Standard 16/25 1994 Police officers search for clues on the runway area after a mortar attack by the IRA AFP/Getty Images 17/25 The check-in area for Concorde flights at Heathrow Airport 18/25 A Concorde airplane takes off in 2003 from Heathrow AFP/Getty Images 19/25 2003 Army soldiers on board an armoured personnel carrier (APC) stand guard outside Terminal 2 Getty Images 20/25 2006 Terminal 5 under construction Glenn Copus 21/25 2008 The interior of Terminal 5 just before it opened to passengers Jeremy Selwyn 22/25 2008 And the outside view of T5 Getty Images 23/25 2013 Workers gather for a safety briefing in the new departures area of Terminal 2 24/25 Heathrow Airport in 2016 Hannah McKay/PA 25/25 2019 Air Traffic Control Engineers use screens displaying real-time panoramic views of the runways and docking gates during the trial AFP/Getty Images 1/25 1978 Welcome to Heathrow Evening Standard 2/25 1936 The entrance to the Great West Aerodrome now Heathrow Airport Daily Mail 3/25 1946 A wartime bomber waits on a runway at what was London Airport, where workmen are laying cinders on a waterlogged section of the airfield. The first plane to take off was a converted Lancaster bomber Getty Images 4/25 1946 Traffic clerk Doreen Haines walking French children along the runway to their plane home Getty Image 5/25 1965 The Queen's Building (left) and the No.1 Building Europa Getty Images 6/25 1962 The scene after Britain had been hit by the worst blizzard since 1947 7/25 1962 The BEA West London Air Terminal on Cromwell Road. The site served as a check-in facility for travellers Getty Images 8/25 1965 Tourists waiting at during the luggage porters' strike Getty Images 9/25 1966 The Beatles just before they set out for America for their 1966 tour Getty Images 10/25 1966 Muhammad Ali waves as he boards his plane Evening Standard 11/25 1969 The Queen, accopanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, views a window shopping display whilst touring the opening of Terminal One at what had been renamed as Heathrow Daily Mail 12/25 1970 A Pan Am Boeing 747 is seen just after landing after its first commercial flight AFP/Getty Images 13/25 1973 Farewell waves from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they board an Air Canada aircraft for their tour of Canada Daily Mail 14/25 1975 Thirty-five winners wave good-bye before departing on Concorde's first public passenger flight Getty Images 15/25 1978 An aerial view of Heathrow Airport, terminus and runway, and the surrounding area Evening Standard 16/25 1994 Police officers search for clues on the runway area after a mortar attack by the IRA AFP/Getty Images 17/25 The check-in area for Concorde flights at Heathrow Airport 18/25 A Concorde airplane takes off in 2003 from Heathrow AFP/Getty Images 19/25 2003 Army soldiers on board an armoured personnel carrier (APC) stand guard outside Terminal 2 Getty Images 20/25 2006 Terminal 5 under construction Glenn Copus 21/25 2008 The interior of Terminal 5 just before it opened to passengers Jeremy Selwyn 22/25 2008 And the outside view of T5 Getty Images 23/25 2013 Workers gather for a safety briefing in the new departures area of Terminal 2 24/25 Heathrow Airport in 2016 Hannah McKay/PA 25/25 2019 Air Traffic Control Engineers use screens displaying real-time panoramic views of the runways and docking gates during the trial AFP/Getty Images

"It may be the case that the people are rounded up beforehand to stop this from happening. That might be the most effective way to deal with this."

He also pointed out the dangers of flying drones so close to planes over London.

"Each of these things can have up to 800 people on board and it's possible these things can collide - and if that comes down in the middle of London the impact could be multiplied."

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "We will be developing strong plans in response to this and will take firm action against any protester seeking to cause disruption at this location by committing criminal offences such as obstruction of the highway.

"The airport is part of our national infrastructure and we will not allow illegal activities of some protesters to cause disruption and misery to thousands of travellers.

"We would urge anybody intending to join this event with a view to committing criminal activity, whether peaceful or not, to strongly reconsider."

A Heathrow spokesperson said the airport works closely with the government and Met Police to mitigate drone threats, but could not comment further "in the interests of safety".

Additional reporting by Press Association.