Last update: 03 May 2023, 04:17 IST
A man has been arrested outside Buckingham Palace. (Representative image/Twitter)
Metropolitan Police arrested a man with a suspicious bag near Buckingham Palace, and a controlled explosion was carried out
Three days before the coronation of King Charles III, a man was arrested outside Buckingham Palace on Tuesday and a controlled explosion took place after he threw suspected shotgun shells into the palace grounds.
At around 7:00 p.m. BST, a man approached the gates of Buckingham Palace and was later arrested by police on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
As a precaution, a cord was in the area, which was later removed.
“Officers quickly arrested a man at around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 2 after he approached the gates of Buckingham Palace SW1 and threw a number of objects – believed to be shotgun shells – into the palace grounds,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. statement.
A man has been arrested outside Buckingham Palace after throwing a number of items – believed to be shotgun shells – into the palace grounds. At the moment, this is not treated as related to terrorism.
Learn more: https://t.co/QCsytAdf8C
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 2, 2023
No injuries or gunshots were reported. At the time of the arrest, the king and queen consort were not at Buckingham Palace, according to a BBC report.
Metropolitan Police have arrested a man suspected of possessing an offensive weapon after he was searched and found a knife.
“The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after being searched and found a knife. He was not in possession of a firearm,” police said in a statement. communicated.
Cordons were in place after the man was also found in possession of a suspicious bag. Specialists were present and after an assessment, a controlled explosion was carried out as a precaution, police added.
Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald said: ‘Officers immediately worked to arrest the man and he was taken into custody. There were no reports of shots being fired or injuries to officers or members of the public.
“Officers remain at the scene and further investigations are ongoing,” he added.
The incident comes as the Met Police undertake one of their biggest policing operations as they prepare for the historic Coronation Procession which will leave the Palace and head towards the Abbey on May 6.
Thousands of servicemen trained for the big show, involving officers on horseback and on foot as part of the royal procession through the streets of London.
(With contributions from the agency)
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