Westminster LOCKDOWN: Man armed with two knives shot dead by police
POLICE shot a man dead who was armed with two knives while walking around Westminster tonight.
Westminster: Police cordon off area following incident
Police cars and a helicopter were seen circling Northumberland Avenue between Victoria Embankment and Trafalgar Square in Westminster at 11.27pm last night. Metropolitan Police said officers were patrolling the area when they noticed the man acting suspiciously. When challenged by police, the man produced two knives.
Armed officers responded and a Taser and police firearm were used.
London Ambulance Service attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene at Great Scotland Yard a short time later.
No police officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.
Uniformed officers manned cordons at Scotland Place, leading to Great Scotland Yard, and on parts of Northumberland Avenue and Whitehall nearest to Trafalgar Square.
#Westminster
— London 999 Feed (@999London) March 9, 2020
BREAKING: A man has been shot dead by police in Westminster at 23:27hrs last night.
Police say this incident is NOT being treated as terror related.
Road closures remain in place. pic.twitter.com/MK5q2y2v38
The Met Police told Express.co.uk: "A man has been shot dead by officers following an incident in Westminster at 11.27pm on Sunday, March 8.
"This is NOT being treated as a terrorist incident.
"Officers remain on scene and updates will follow.
"Road closures remain in place."
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A full Met Police statement that was issued later on said: "Police officers were on patrol at around 11.25pm on Sunday, 8 March when they noticed a man who they believed to be acting suspiciously.
"Officers challenged the man who produced two knives.
"Armed officers responded. TASER and a police firearm were discharged during the incident.
"London Ambulance Service attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene at Great Scotland Yard short time later.
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#BREAKING: Knife wielding man shot dead by police in #westminster pic.twitter.com/yFKG19umTS
— Jack Dawkins (@DawkinsReturns) March 9, 2020
"No police officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.
"Enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.
"The incident is not being not being treated as terrorism.
"Road closures remain in place around the area.
"The Directorate of Professional Standards and the IOPC has been informed.
Shocked onlookers filmed sirens blaring past their homes.
One person also shared a picture on Twitter of the road being cordoned off by police.
They tweeted alongside the picture: "Cordon on Northumberland Avenue. One shot fired in local vicinity around 11.34pm."