A man carrying an axe has been arrested near Buckingham Palace, police have said.
Metropolitan police officers were on patrol when they spotted the man, believed to be in his forties, walking on the Mall in central London holding the weapon at about 6.30pm on Tuesday.
Armed officers were on duty nearby and the suspect was detained and arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon.
The Met said there are no reports of any injuries and the man was taken to Charing Cross police station for questioning.
The force said inquiries are continuing and the incident was not being treated as terror-related at this time.
Photos from witnesses on Twitter appeared to show up to six officers surrounding the suspect near the Institute of Contemporary Arts building and close to the rear entrance to Downing Street.
The Mall, a central road which connects Buckingham Palace with Trafalgar Square, was temporarily closed while officers arrested the man and removed the axe.
Buckingham Palace is not currently occupied by the Queen, who is in Windsor following the death of her husband, Prince Philip, last Friday.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 6041/13APR.
