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Car crashes into front gates of London’s Downing Street

A person has been arrested after a car was driven into the front gates of Downing Street in London, police say.

May 26, 2023
By AAP
26 May 2023

A car has collided with the front gates of Downing Street, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office and residence is based, London police say, adding a man had been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

“At around 16:20hrs a car collided with the gates of Downing Street on Whitehall. Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving,” police said in a statement. 

“There are no reports of any injuries.”

Police said inquiries were ongoing.

A Reuters witness said there was a small vehicle outside the gate, with its doors and trunk open. 

BBC television footage showed the vehicle approaching the gate at a low speed.

Sunak’s office declined to comment.

Police initially put in place a cordon blocking traffic along Whitehall, a main road running past Downing Street where several government departments are based.

The current terrorism threat level in the United Kingdom is “substantial,” meaning an attack is considered likely. 

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