Watch moment man arrested after car hits Downing Street gates

A man has been arrested after a car hit the main gates of Downing Street.

The silver Kia crashed into the gates at around 4.20pm, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

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The vehicle appeared to come out of a car park next to the Ministry of Defence building. It then crossed Whitehall, near the Cenotaph, before abruptly breaking and then driving forward directly into the gates of Downing Street.

Pedestrians were told to “move back” by police as the driver was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.

Police said there were no injuries and the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was in Downing Street at the time the car crashed into the front gates, PA news agency said.

Mr Sunak, who had been due to leave No 10 anyway, departed after the crash.

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Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was also in Downing Street, Sky News understands.

Officers were pictured searching the vehicle’s boot and removing a large white sheet.

Large sections of Whitehall were closed to the public and vehicles following the incident, but is now fully open.

“At approximately 4.20pm on Thursday, 25 May a car collided with the gates of Downing Street on Whitehall,” Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

“Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving. He has been taken into custody.”

“There were no reports of any injuries. A small cordon remains in place outside Downing Street.

“The incident is being dealt with by local officers in Westminster and isn’t currently being treated as terror-related.”

Eyewitness, Krish Kandiah, who was delivering a petition at Downing street when a car crashed into the gates told Sky News that there was an “almighty smash at the front gate”.

“Immediately we saw police scramble and armed officers responded swiftly. They shouted at the man to get out. He was wrestled out of the car and put down on the ground and handcuffed,” he said.

Another witness Simon Parry, 44, said: “I heard a bang and looked up and saw loads of police with Tasers shouting at the man.

“A lot of police vehicles came very quickly and were very quick to evacuate the area.”