Armed police race to Parliament as 'man arrested carrying knives' outside Carriage Gates

Metropolitan Police officers rushed to Parliament this afternoon after they received reports that a man was carrying knives, confirming they had arrested a 34-year-old man at the scene

Police have detained a man after they were called to reports of a suspect armed with knives outside of parliament this afternoon.

Met Police officers rushed to the Carriage Gates at around 2.01pm and surrounded the man. Footage showed him being handcuffed outside the entrance. The force arrested him at the scene and identified him as a 34-year-old. He was seen wearing a red hooded top.

Officers cordoned off the area during the incident and the entrance was shut off. A Parliament spokesperson confirmed that Parliamentary Security and the Met Police are "managing the situation."

Police confirmed that he was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. A spokesperson said no one was injured during the incident. They said: “Police were called at 14:01hrs on Tuesday 12 November to reports of a man in possession of knives outside Parliament, SW1.

“Officers attended and a 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He will be taken to a police station. No injuries have been reported.”

A UK Parliament spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident outside Carriage Gates. Parliamentary Security and the Metropolitan Police are present and managing the situation.”