Axe-wielding man arrested by armed police at Whitehall
A man armed with an axe was arrested by armed police on The Mall close to Whitehall and Downing Street on Tuesday evening.
The man, who was brandishing the axe above his head, was spotted running towards the Mall along Horse Guards at around 6.30pm.
A group of security guards, who were standing outside the Institute of Contemporary Arts at the bottom of the Mall, described how the man was running along Horse Guards Road towards the Mall when he was challenged by police.
The security guards, who were off duty at the time, said when he was challenged by officers he dropped the weapon and fell to his knees.
Three Armed Response Vehicles arrived on the scene within moments and armed officers detained the suspect and recovered the axe.
One of the security guards told the Telegraph: “There was a guy running down the road with an axe, so the three of us ran out.
"As soon as he saw the three of us running out towards him he jumped onto his knees and dropped the axe. Within seconds there were four or five police disarming him. The man was arrested and taken away in a police van."
The incident took place not far from the rear entrance to Downing Street and close to a number of Government departments.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police officers were on patrol on The Mall at approximately 18:30 hrs on Tuesday 13 April when they spotted a man carrying an axe.
"Armed officers were on duty nearby. They attended the scene where the male - believed to be in his 40s - was detained and arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon.
"There are no reports of any injuries. The man was taken to Charing Cross Police Station for questioning. Enquiries continue."
