Whitehall incident: MPs praise bravery of police who tackled 'knifeman' in terror arrest

Mark Chandler27 April 2017
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Politicians have praised the bravery of police who tackled a "knifeman" close to Westminster and arrested him on suspicion of terror offences.

The 27-year-old was carrying a rucksack containing at least three knives in Whitehall when he was detained on suspicion of terror offences "as part of an ongoing operation”, police said.

Thursday’s incident took place just yards from where Khalid Masood launched a terror attack in March, murdering five people including PC Keith Palmer at the gates of Westminster.

Tory MP James Cleverly, who knew PC Palmer, branded the actions of officers on Thursday “awe-inspiring”.

He tweeted: “Once again police officers here in Westminster rush to tackle a knife wielding attacker just a month after losing colleague Keith Palmer.”

Whitehall: Police arrested a man on suspicion of terror offences
AFP/Getty Images

“The bravery of these men and women is awe-inspiring,” he added.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Thanks to all officers who dealt swiftly & professionally with the incident in Whitehall.

Terror: A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of terror offences
Toby Melville/Reuters

“The Met Commissioner has briefed me on the arrest.”

Conservative MP David Mackintosh wrote: “Glad nobody appears to be injured in Westminster today.

“Great work by @metpoliceuk once again.

Whitehall 'Knifeman' incident - In pictures

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“Thank you for keeping us safe.”

The bearded suspect, who was dressed in dark clothing, was wrestled to the ground on a traffic island at the Parliament Square end of Whitehall, close to the Foreign Office and the entrance to Downing Street.

Images from the scene showed three knives and what appeared to be a mobile on the ground close to a brown rucksack.

Probe: Forensics officer with a knife
AFP/Getty Images

An officer in forensic overalls could be seen taking photographs of the knives.

The suspect was detained at the scene for several minutes within view of journalists and passers by before he was eventually taken away in a police vehicle.

AFP/Getty Images

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that he was held at approximately 2.22pm on Thursday by armed officers from the Specialist Firearms Command.

It went on: "The 27-year-old man was arrested in Parliament Street, junction with Parliament Square, by armed officers from the Met's Specialist Firearms Command.

"He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism. Knives have been recovered from him.

"He is being detained under the Terrorism Act and is in custody in a south London police station.

"Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command are continuing their investigation, and as a result of this arrest there is no immediate known threat."

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