Shots fired, man arrested in Ukraine embassy incident in UK

World Sunday 14/April/2019 14:16 PM
By: Times News Service
Shots fired, man arrested in Ukraine embassy incident in UK

London: Shots were fired and one man was injured during an incident that took place near the Embassy of Ukraine in London, according to a statement released by Metropolitan Police.

Police said they were called after reports that a car was colliding with a number of parked vehicles near the Ukrainian Embassy in Holland Park.

"As part of the protective security arrangements for London, armed and unarmed officers were deployed to this incident,"said the statement, adding that "on arrival at the scene, a vehicle was driven at police officers."

Police confirmed that firearms and Taser were discharged, the vehicle was stopped and a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of police officers and criminal damage.

The embassy stated that the ambassador's official vehicle was rammed by the attacker.

In a statement, the embassy said that "the official vehicle of the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom was deliberately rammed as it sat parked in front of the Embassy of Ukraine’s building.

"The police were called immediately, and the suspect’s vehicle was blocked up. Nevertheless, despite the police actions, the attacker hit the Ambassador’s car again. The culprit was apprehended and taken to a police station.

"No one of the Embassy staff were injured. The police are investigating the suspect’s identity and motive for the attack."

According to police, the man was taken to a hospital as a precaution and was found to not be injured.

Andy Walker, chief superintendent in the Met's Specialist Firearms Command, said,"As is standard procedure, an investigation is now ongoing into the discharge of a police firearm during this incident."

"While this takes place, I would like to pay tribute to the officers involved this morning who responded swiftly to this incident and put themselves in harm's way, as they do every day, to keep the people of London safe," Walker said.