A man has been arrested after an incident in Whitehall, Scotland Yard said.

There were unconfirmed reports that knives were recovered from the scene, close to Parliament Square.

Eyewitnesses said armed police officers detained the suspect. Scotland Yard said there had been no reported injuries.

However a picture from Reuters shows blood on the suspect’s hand which was either bandaged or wrapped with tissue.

Government buildings around Whitehall have been put into lockdown while forensics officers were seen looking at items on a traffic island where the man was arrested.

What appears to be two knives can be seen on the ground along with a backpack.

Staff in the surrounding buildings including in the Treasury have been put on lockdown.

An handful of armed and unarmed officers were at the scene which is yards from where Khalid Masood launched a terror attack in March which killed five, including Pc Keith Palmer.

The officer was stabbed to death as he carried out his duties on the cobbled forecourt of the Palace of Westminster.

Pictures posted by people near the scene showed a man pinned to the ground next to a bag, which some witnesses had said contained knives.

An employee at HMRC said the main entrance to their building at 100 Parliament Street has been closed.