Sonic boom heard over parts of Norfolk as RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft responded to reports of bomb threat on passenger plane

Loud noises were heard over parts of Norfolk today as a passenger plane reported a bomb threat on board.

It came as an Air India civilian aircraft circled over the county and RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched to investigate.

Residents in Swaffham and Fakenham were among those who reported hearing a sonic boom on social media as the jets intercepted the plane.

A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched this afternoon to investigate a civilian aircraft.

“Following an uneventful interception the aircraft was released to continue to its original destination under the direction of civilian air traffic control.

“This incident is now being handled under the control of civilian authorities.”

The passenger plane was travelling from Mumbai to Heathrow - where it safely landed at 1.32pm.

The Typhoon fighter aircraft had been authorised to travel at supersonic speed for operational reasons.

Norfolk Police said, in a post on Facebook: “Police can confirm a loud noise heard by residents in the county was a sonic boom caused by RAF aircraft this afternoon (17 October) and was not an explosion.”