Police discount terrorism after car strikes gates of British PM’s residence
London, May 25 (EFE).- Police said that they do not suspect terrorism in Thursday’s collision of a car with the gates outside the Downing Street office and residence of the United Kingdom’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak.
“The incident is being dealt with by local officers in Westminster and isn’t currently being treated as terror-related,” London’s Metropolitan Police said.
Authorities said earlier that a man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.
No one was hurt in the collision, which took place at 4:20 pm, and televised images of the gate showed no damage.
Sunak was in Downing Street at the time of the crash.
Footage from a BBC television camera shows the vehicle, a silver 2009 Kia hatchback, crossing two lanes from Whitehall road toward Downing Street.
The car can be seen slowing down as it approaches the main Downing Street entrance.
Media outlets disseminated images of armed police officers searching the car and escorting a handcuffed middle-aged white man away from the scene.
By 7:45 pm, the car was being loaded onto a flatbed tow truck for removal.
Uniformed and plainclothes police stand guard at the Downing Street gate 24 hours a day. EFE er/dr
