Knife-wielding man arrested outside Buckingham Palace ahead of coronation
On Tuesday evening, a man was arrested by the police in London after allegedly throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into the grounds of Buckingham Palace. The police have confirmed that the man was also carrying a knife and have conducted a controlled explosion on a suspicious bag he was carrying. The arrest comes just days before the coronation of King Charles III, which is expected to be attended by global royalty and world leaders amid a massive security operation.
The Metropolitan Police have stated that they are not treating the incident as terrorism-related at this time. After a search was conducted and a knife was found, the man was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
The London force has confirmed that no shots were fired, and there were no injuries to officers or members of the public. In a statement, Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald of the Metropolitan Police said that the officers acted promptly to apprehend the suspect who has since been taken into police custody. The police are still at the scene and investigations are ongoing.
According to British media reports, King Charles III and his wife Queen Consort Camilla were not at the palace at the time of the incident. Buckingham Palace officials declined to comment. The man approached the gates of the palace and threw several items into the grounds suspected to be shotgun cartridges, according to the Metropolitan Police. The cartridges have been recovered and will be taken for specialist examination.
In anticipation of Saturday’s coronation, the first in 70 years, The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace has been closed to traffic. The procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey will involve thousands of ceremonial troops, and a large crowd is expected to attend.
Operation Golden Orb, one of the largest recent security operations, aims to protect attendees of the coronation with strict measures. This incident highlights the importance of heightened security. In 2017, a man was arrested on suspicion of terrorism after driving a car at officers outside Buckingham Palace. Previous breaches led to calls for better security measures. The UK’s current terrorism threat level is “substantial,” indicating a probable attack but no imminent threat. Law enforcement officials have encouraged members of the public to stay watchful and report any behavior that seems suspicious.
The incident at Buckingham Palace is a reminder of the need for heightened security measures at high-profile events. With the coronation of King Charles III just days away, the police will be on high alert, and attendees will need to be vigilant.
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The arrest of a man allegedly carrying a knife and throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into the grounds of Buckingham Palace is a concerning incident, given the impending coronation of King Charles III. The police have confirmed that they are not treating the incident as terrorism-related at this time, but the need for heightened security measures at high-profile events cannot be overstated. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, and attendees at the coronation will need to be alert.