Armed police arrested a man after a car drove into Downing Street. (Representative)
London:
Armed police have arrested a man after a car crashed into the gates of the British Prime Minister’s office and residence on Downing Street in central London on Thursday, Scotland Yard said.
“Around 16:20 (1520 GMT) a car collided with the gates of Downing Street in Whitehall. Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of vandalizing property and dangerous driving,” police said in a statement.
No injuries were reported and police added that investigations were still ongoing.
Video footage of the incident showed a white car driving at low speed through Whitehall, where many government departments are located.
It then appeared to climb up the footpath and came to a halt after crashing into the large metal gates guarding the entrance to Downing Street.
Other footage showed a police cordon surrounding the car with the trunk open.
Downing Street is a short walk from Houses of Parliament and the area has a high level of security following previous incidents with cordons on the walkway and in front of government buildings.
Large gates were erected at the entrance to Downing Street in the wake of the IRA bombings in London in 1989 and in 1991 the group fired three homemade mortar shells at the Prime Minister’s residence.
The gates represent the first line of security, with armed police stationed at the entrance. Service vehicles entering the street usually have to be checked before reinforced bollards are lowered to allow them passage.
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