A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after a car crashed into cyclists and pedestrians outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The incident occurred shortly after 07:30 BST on Tuesday, leaving three people injured.
The suspect, who is not believed to be known to MI5 or counter-terrorism police, is not co-operating with officers. Police are conducting searches in Birmingham and Nottingham. The vehicle, a silver Ford Fiesta, had travelled from Birmingham to London on Monday night and was driven around the Westminster area before the crash.
Scotland Yard's head of counter terrorism, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, said: “Given that this appears to be a deliberate act, the method and this being an iconic site, we are treating it as a terrorist incident.” He added there was “no intelligence at this time of further danger” to London or the UK.
Two people were treated in hospital for their injuries and later discharged, while a third person with minor injuries was assessed at the scene. Witnesses reported the car swerving into the wrong lane and accelerating towards security barriers. One witness said the driver “ploughed into” cyclists waiting at traffic lights.
Prime Minister Theresa May praised the “formidable courage” of emergency services and urged the public to remain vigilant but “carry on as normal”. The government held a meeting of its Cobra emergency committee. The suspect, who has not been formally identified, is being held at a south London police station.
