London CNN –
A man was arrested after a car drove outside the gates of Downing Street in London, the British Prime Minister’s official residence, police said on Thursday.
In video broadcast by the BBC, a small silver car can be seen driving at slow speed across Whitehall, the main thoroughfare that runs past the end of Downing Street, right by the wrought-iron gates that give public access to the heart of British government refuse .
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in Downing Street at the time of Thursday’s incident but has since left on a scheduled visit, the BBC reported.
Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images
Police officers stand near the car that was driven into the gates of 10 Downing Street.
Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images
Police officers are examining items inside the car involved in Thursday’s incident.
Armed officers arrested the man after the incident on suspicion of damaging property and dangerous driving, the Metropolitan Police said. There were no reports of injuries.
Downing Street is heavily protected. The road, which was once fully open to the public, has been closed to vehicles since the 1970s and the current security gates date from the 1980s. Security was further tightened after an Irish Republican Army (IRA) mortar attack in 1991.
Access is only permitted to authorized visitors and parliament pass holders. Visitors must pass through two checkpoints, including airline-style security checkpoints patrolled by armed officers. The famous black door of 10 Downing Street, the entrance to the Prime Minister’s official office, is further down the street from the security gates.
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