Man arrested outside Buckingham Palace after ‘throwing shotgun cartridges’ into grounds

A man has been arrested at Buckingham Palace after allegedly throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into the grounds.

The area around the palace has been cordoned off following the incident at 7pm on Tuesday, which came only days before King Charles’s Coronation.

Police said the man was carrying a suspicious bag and that his possessions are now being investigated, while a media area in front of the palace has been evacuated.

A controlled explosion was carried out as a precautionary measure, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

The Telegraph understands neither the King nor Queen were at the palace at the time of the incident.

It is also understood that the man’s behaviour was an isolated mental health incident.

It follows security fears over the Coronation, with counter-terrorism police warning the public to stay alert during the celebrations.

A police spokesman said: “Officers quickly detained a man after he approached the gates of Buckingham Palace 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.

“There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries.

“The man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and will be taken into custody.

“Cordons are in place after the man was also found to be in possession of a suspicious bag.

“Specialists are in attendance and will assess the item.”