London terror arrest
Cops swoop on armed suspect after tip-off
BRITAIN’S capital 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 was arrested just outside Parliament, close to where Britishborn Muslim convert Khalid Masood was shot dead after killing four pedestrians by running them down on Westminster Bridge, then fatally stabbing a policeman.
Yesterday’s arrest happened in the early afternoon local time 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 man was followed by police and MI5 operatives as he travelled towards Westminster.
British media is reporting he was also on the radar of counter-terrorism police.
The man was arrested outside the Westminster tube station near the Palace of Westminster.
The House of Commons was not in session because of the coming UK elections.
He was a few hundred metres away from 10 Downing St and it is not clear whether the alleged target was Westminster or the government offices of Whitehall.
A spokesman for the PM said the British leader was not at her Downing St residence at the time of the incident.
The area was packed with tourists and civil servants at the time of the arrest.
Shortly afterwards, 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, 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.”
MP Tobias Elwood tweet- ed his praise for authorities: “Well done to our courageous @metpoliceuk for arresting an armed terrorist suspect on #Whitehall by House of Commons today & keeping us safe.”