Whitehall: Forensic officers collect evidence after police swoop on 'man with knives'
FORENSIC investigators have begun collecting a collection of “knives” from the scene in Westminster after police officers arrested a man near the Houses of Parliament.
Forensic officers collect evidence following Whitehall arrest
Footage from the scene shows detectives collecting evidence after armed police apprehended the suspect.
The man, in his late twenties, was found with knives on him and arrested under the Terrorism Act in Parliament Street.
Two knives could be seen on the ground next to the man being held by officers.
A witness told the BBC one of the knives looked like a large bread knife.
Police collected evidence at the scene of a 'man with knives' being arrested
The man, aged in his late twenties, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon
Live updates: Police arrest man with knives in Whitehall
Whitehall and Parliament Street were closed off by police on Thursday afternoon as the forensic investigators rushed to the scene.
Other photos show large numbers of armed police at the scene, close to Theresa May’s ministerial officers and just 100m from Downing Street.
The suspect was found with knives in his bag following a stop and search as part of an ongoing operation, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
He has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of terrorism, the spokesman added.
Hooded man put into police car following Whitehall incident
Crime scene investigators arrive in Whitehall following incident
Scotland Yard said one arrest had been made and no injuries reported.
A spokesman for the Met Police said: “A man has been arrested in Whitehall this afternoon, at approximately 14.22, following a stop and search as part of an ongoing operation.
“The man was arrested in Parliament Street, junction with Parliament Square, by armed officers form the Met’s Specialist Firearms Command.
“The man, aged in his late twenties, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of terrorism.
“Knives have been recovered from him.
“He is being detained under the Terrorism Act and is in custody in a south London police station.
“Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command are continuing their investigation, and as a result of this arrest there is no immediate known threat.”
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