The incident occurred at 07:37 this morning
A man has been arrested after a car crashed into security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament and injured a number of pedestrians.
The incident happened at 07:37, prompting armed police to swarm the areas. Ambulances and firefighters are also attending the scene.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the man led away by police on foot at gunpoint after he was pulled from the car.
It is thought that a silver car driven “at speed” by the man may have hit pedestrians or cyclists before hitting the security barriers.
Streets around Millbank, Parliament Square and Victoria Tower Gardens have been cordoned off following the crash.
Witness Jason Williams told Sky News he had seen “a man driving at speed into the bollard and the police have taken their time to go in.
“I saw smoke coming out of the vehicle. It’s all been high-speed and very, very dramatic.”
Asked if he believed the incident was a simple road traffic accident, Mr Williams replied: “No, no no.”
A Met Police spokesman said: “At 07.37am today, a car was in collision with barriers outside the Houses of Parliament.
“The male driver of the car was detained by officers at the scene. A number of pedestrians have been injured.
“Officers remain at the scene. We will issue further info when we have it.”
#Westminster
BREAKING: A vehicle has crashed into the security barriers protecting the Houses of Parliament #SW1. Multiple armed response units from the Met’s SCO19 Firearms Unit have been seen racing to the scene.
Video: @VinnyMcAv pic.twitter.com/Sbo1nztw89— 999 London (@999London) August 14, 2018
At 0737hrs today, a car was in collision with barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. The male driver of the car was detained by officers at the scene. A number of pedestrians have been injured. Officers remain at the scene. We will issue further info when we have it.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 14, 2018
