The suspect is being held in police custody
The Metropolitan police have confirmed that they are treating an incident that saw a driver plough through cyclists and pedestrians before crashing into a barrier outside the Houses of Parliament as terror-related.
Two people were taken to hospital this morning when it is suspected a man in his late 20s drove a silver Ford Fiesta into the barricade. Police have confirmed that their injuries “are not life-threatening”.
Videos of the man’s arrest show him being led away by armed police after he was pulled from the car at gunpoint. He has been taken to a south London police station where he remains in police custody under suspicion of terrorist offences.
The Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command is investigating an incident in #Westminster this morning during which a number of people were injured. Keep following @metpoliceuk for updates. https://t.co/mcyVXyiOPi
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 14, 2018
The Metropolitan police’s Counter Terrorism Command is now investigating the incident, the force has confirmed.
The incident happened at 07:37 prompting armed police to swarm the area. Ambulances and firefighters also responded, with streets around Millbank, Parliament Square and Victoria Tower Gardens cordoned off following the crash. Westminster Tube station remains closed.
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.”
A police spokesperson said: “Officers remain at the scene and cordons are in place to assist the investigation. Road closures in the area are likely to remain in place for some time. Westminster Tube station is currently closed.
“At this stage, we are treating this as a terrorist incident and the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is now leading the investigation.
“Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation can call 0800 789 321.”
