Car crashes into Downing Street

A car has crashed into the gates of Downing Street.

Police say no one's been injured and a man's been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.

The surrounding area was cordoned off by armed officers, but this has now been lifted.

Witness Simon Parry, 44, said he heard a "bang" and saw police pointing Taser guns at a man.

"I heard a bang and looked up and saw loads of police with Taser guns shouting at the man," he said.

"A lot of police vehicles came very quickly and were very quick to evacuate the area."

Mr Parry said the driver had his "face to the floor" as he was being arrested.

He said the man appeared to slow down before he reached the gates of Downing Street, having driven out from the other side of the road.

"There were sniffer dogs and a bomb squad," he added.

Asked to describe the mood in the immediate aftermath, Mr Parry said: "We saw people that were in a panic running away and we saw people who were excited."

The incident came as many civil servants are leaving their offices for the day in the area.

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