THE INQUIRY into drones chaos at Gatwick has "descended into a farce", a national newspaper has said.

Police had arrested a couple in Crawley after 200,000 passengers were affected at the airport last week.

The Daily Mail front page on Sunday asked if the couple were "morons" who had ruined Christmas.

But just 36 hours later they were released without charge, and were completely innocent.

Then Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley told the press there was "no available" footage of drones.

He said: "We are working with human beings saying they have seen something."

When asked, the chief also conceded it was "possible" that there were no drones around the airport at all.

But just hours later, he issued a clarifying statement, to say that there were scores of sightings, and said there was a damaged drone found near the airport perimeter at Horley.

He said: "We are actively investigating sightings of drone activity at Gatwick Airport following 67 reports from the public, passengers, police officers and staff at the airport.

“We are interviewing those who have reported these sightings, are carrying out extensive house to house enquiries and carrying out a forensic examination of a damaged drone found near the perimeter, which is close to the last reported sighting."

Following the apparent muddle, the Daily Mail branded the force "clueless" on its Christmas Eve front page.

Meanwhile Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the police had "have not handled their communication response well".

The first reported sightings were on Wednesday December 19 at 9pm.

Half an hour later at about 9.30pm six people, including five police officers, reported seeing a drone with white and red lights near the runway.

Then the next morning at 1.15am on December 20, airport workers and  police officers reported seeing a drone for more than 30 minutes near the runway.

At 5pm on December 21 a drone was spotted near a hangar by police officers.

Gatwick Airport has now offered a £50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “The impact of this criminal and reckless behaviour has been enormous and we are determined to locate those responsible to bring them to justice.

"We are investigating this under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

“We urge the public to contact us if they feel they have information that will help us in our investigation."

Information can be reported to CrimeStoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.