A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after he crashed a car into Buckingham Palace gates.

 

Police swooped on the motorist after the crash, with a witness reporting hearing a “loud bang”.

 

Dramatic pictures show armed police surrounding the driver, who is on his knees, and yelling “keep your hands on your head!”.

 

Officers swooped after the vehicle rammed into the main entrance gates of the royal residence in Westminster, central London.

 

The Met Police said there were no reports of any injuries and the driver has been arrested.

 

A spokesperson for the force said: “At approximately 02:33hrs on Saturday, 09 March, a car collided with the gates of Buckingham Palace.

 

“Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage. He was taken to hospital.

 

“There were no reports of any injuries. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances.”