Armed police arrested a man after a car crashed on Downing Street. (representative)
London:
Armed police arrested a man on Thursday after a car crashed into the gates of the British Prime Minister’s office and residence on Downing Street in central London, Scotland Yard said.
“At around 16:20 (1520 GMT), a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street in Whitehall. Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving,” police said in a statement.
No injuries were reported and police added that an investigation is ongoing.
Video footage of the incident showed a white car traveling at low speed through Whitehall, where many ministries are located.
It then appeared to move onto the footpath and came to a halt after striking the large metal gates guarding the Downing Street entrance.
Other images showed a police cordon around the car, with the trunk open.
Downing Street is a short walk from the Houses of Parliament, and the area has a high security presence with barriers on the footpath and in front of government buildings following previous incidents.
Large gates were placed at the entrance to Downing Street in 1989 as a result of IRA bombings in London, and the group launched three homemade mortar shells at the Prime Minister’s residence in 1991.
The gates are the first line of security, with armed police stationed at the entrance. Official cars entering the street normally have to be checked before reinforced bollards are lowered to allow them to pass.
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