LONDON — A man has been arrested after a car crashed into the gates outside Downing Street on Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police said he had been held by armed officers on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.

One witness said he saw officers pointing Tasers at a suspect, who was held "face to the floor" as he was arrested. There were no reports of any injuries and inquiries are ongoing.

Police set up a cordon in Whitehall, the main road running past Downing Street, as officers with sniffer dogs were seen outside the gates.

The incident happened at 16:20 BST, police said. The road has now reopened.

Footage of the car, identified as a silver Kia, shows it slowing down as it approaches the main entrance to Downing Street, the home of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his family.

The car appears to slow down before it hits the gates, which are staffed around the clock by armed and unarmed police officers.

The prime minister and the chancellor were in Downing Street at the time of the crash. Sunak has since left for a scheduled visit.

The car remains outside the gates, surrounded by police tape. — BBC