Police have arrested a man after he attempted to drive his car through the gates of Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister in London. The incident occurred on Thursday when a small silver car was seen driving towards the wrought-iron gates at a slow speed. Downing Street is one of the most well-protected locations in the UK, and access is only permitted to authorized personnel and vehicles.
A scheduled visit by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was underway at the time of the incident, but he was not in immediate danger and has since left for his next appointment. The Metropolitan Police detained the man on suspicion of dangerous driving and criminal damage.
There were no reported injuries, but the incident highlights the constant threat of security breaches in high-profile locations. Downing Street has been closed to vehicle traffic since the 1970s, and the current security gates were installed in the 1980s after a mortar attack by the Irish Republican Army in 1991.
Security measures at Downing Street are extensive, featuring two checkpoints and armed officers overseeing airline-style security for all visitors. Despite the increased security, the recent incident serves as a reminder that security threats can still occur at some of the most heavily guarded locations in the UK.