This is the face of a terror suspect tackled to the floor today in Whitehall, where knives were seen strewn across the floor. Photo/Getty Images
This is the face of a terror suspect tackled to the floor today in Whitehall, where knives were seen strewn across the floor. Photo/Getty Images
London suffered a serious security scare yesterday when a man was arrested near Westminster after allegedly trying to launch a terror attack.
The 27-year-old man was arrested just outside Parliament, close to where British-born Muslim convert Khalid Masood was shot dead after killing four pedestrians by running them down onWestminster Bridge, then fatally stabbing a policeman, according to news.com.au.
Yesterday's arrest happened just after 2pm, and saw police seize at least two knives from the man, who was pinned to the ground and held for more than half an hour before being taken away.
Undercover police were waiting for the man after they were tipped off about his alleged plans by a member of the Muslim community concerned about his behaviour, according to multiple media sources in the UK.
According to The Sun the tip-off came from a family member.
The House of Commons was not in session because of the upcoming UK elections.
He was a few hundred metres away from 10 Downing Street and it is not clear whether the alleged target was Westminster or the government offices of Whitehall.
A spokesman for the PM said that the British leader was not at her Downing Street residence at the time of the incident.
The area was packed with tourists and civil servants at the time of the arrest.
Shortly after the arrest, police began circulating messages on social media urging people to report any terrorism suspicions they might have.
In a statement on the arrest, Scotland Yard said: "The man was arrested in Parliament Street, junction with Parliament Square, by armed officers from the Met's Specialist Firearms Command.
A police officer photographs a knife on the ground at the scene following a man's arrest. Photo/AP
"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 acts 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."
The member of parliament who was praised for his efforts to save the life of the fatally-wounded police officer in the attacks on March 22, Tobias Elwood, was one of many MPs who took to social media platform Twitter to thank police yesterday.
"Well done to our courageous @metpoliceuk for arresting an armed terrorist suspect on #Whitehall by House of Commons today & keeping us safe," he wrote.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: "Thanks to all officers who dealt swiftly & professionally with the incident in Whitehall. The Met Commissioner has briefed me on the arrest."
