Car crashes outside British Parliament, pedestrians injured

A car today crashed into security barriers outside the UK's Parliament at speed, injuring a number of pedestrians, Scotland Yard said as armed police quickly arrested the driver.

It was not immediately known whether the incident is related to terrorism. However, police have put up a Terrorism Act cordon, officers said.

Some eyewitnesses said the car appeared to deliberately hit members of the public, BBC reported.

The incident happened at 07:37 AM (1207 IST), prompting a major police response.

"At 0737 hrs today, a car was in collision with barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. The male driver of the car was detained by officers at the scene," the Met Police said.

"A number of pedestrians have been injured. Officers remain at the scene," it said in a statement.

The vehicle crashed into the large steel barriers erected around the Houses of Parliament complex in Westminster.

Armed officers from Scotland Yard were at the scene instantly and one man was arrested.

The eyewitnesses said that a man in handcuffs was led away from the car by officers after the crash.

London Ambulance Service said two persons were treated on the spot and rushed to hospital.

The area around Parliament Square has been cordoned off as investigations continue.

Westminster tube station is closed and streets around Millbank, Parliament Square and Victoria Tower Gardens have been cordoned off.

Heavy armed police presence could be seen in the area as the incident unfolded.

Parliament is currently not sitting.

Barry Williams, a BBC member of staff, said: "I heard lots of screams and turned round".

"The car went onto the wrong side of the road to where cyclists were waiting at lights and ploughed into them. Then it swerved back across the road and accelerated as fast as possible and hit the barrier at full pelt.

"It was a small silver car and he hit it at such speed the car actually lifted off the ground and bounced," Williams said.

The Houses of Parliament are surrounded with security barriers of steel and concrete.

These measures were taken following the Westminster Bridge attack in March 2017 by 52-year-old UK-born Muslim convert Khalid Masood who ploughed a car into crowds on Westminster Bridge, killing four people.