‘Controlled explosion’ at Buckingham Palace after suspected shotgun cartridges thrown into grounds
A controlled explosion has been carried out at Buckingham Palace after a man threw suspected shotgun cartridges into the grounds, just four days before the coronation.
Officers were called at 7pm on Tuesday evening after a man was seen at the palace gates hurling a number of items into the grounds.
The area around the royal residence was cordoned off as specialist officers examined the items recovered and a bag the man was carrying, before a controlled explosion was conducted “as a precaution”.
The matter is not being treated as terror-related.
Sounds of an explosion could be heard on TV channels broadcasting coronation coverage from the area, with some – including GB News – told by police to cease broadcasting and evacuate.
Neither the King nor the Queen Consort were at Buckingham Palace at the time of the incident.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Officers quickly detained a man at around 7pm on Tuesday, 2 May after he approached the gates of Buckingham Palace SW1 and threw a number of items – suspected to be shotgun cartridges – into the Palace grounds.
“These have been recovered and will be taken for specialist examination.
“The man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found. He was not in possession of a firearm.
“Cordons were in place after the man was also found to be in possession of a suspicious bag.
“Specialists attended and following an assessment a controlled explosion was conducted as a precaution.
“The cordons have now been removed.
Chief Superintendent, Joseph McDonald, said: “Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody.
“There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public. Officers remain at the scene and further enquiries are ongoing.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment and said the incident was a matter for the Met Police.
A ring of steel is expected in the capital for Charles’s coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.
Policing minister Chris Philp has described it as a “huge policing operation”, and heads of state and foreign royals from around the world are set to travel to the UK.
