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Man arrested for attempted murder after four people hit by car in London’s West End on Christmas Day

One pedestrian remains in a life-threatening condition

Holly Evans,Holly Bancroft
Wednesday 25 December 2024 10:10 EST
The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue in central London after four people were injured, one seriously, by a car which was driven on to a pavement in central London in the early hours of Christmas Day
The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue in central London after four people were injured, one seriously, by a car which was driven on to a pavement in central London in the early hours of Christmas Day (PA)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after four pedestrians were hit by a car in London’s West End in the early hours of Christmas Day.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at 12.45am on Wednesday following reports of a collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in Covent Garden.

Four pedestrians were taken to hospital with one remaining in a life-threatening condition, police said.

The driver, a 31-year-old man, was arrested “within minutes” on suspicion of attempted murder. The incident has been confirmed as an isolated event and not terror-related.

The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue in central London after four people were injured, one seriously, by a car
The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue in central London after four people were injured, one seriously, by a car (PA)
Clothes and debris left strewn on the pavement
Clothes and debris left strewn on the pavement (PA)

Police said they believed the suspect was “involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement”.

Shaftesbury Avenue is a major road in London’s theatre district, lined with performance venues and bars, and is close to Soho and Covent Garden.

Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue
Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

A police cordon is in place on Shaftesbury Avenue, stretching between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables.

Blood and items of clothing including a jacket, shoes and a hat remain strewn across the pavement in front of a Caffe Concerto. Forensic officers could be seen bagging up shoes and other items of clothing taken from the floor.

The incident took place in the early hours of Christmas Day in London’s West End
The incident took place in the early hours of Christmas Day in London’s West End (PA)
The scene on Great Windmill Street in central London, further down from the first police cordon
The scene on Great Windmill Street in central London, further down from the first police cordon (PA)

A further police cordon is also in place closer to Soho, located on Archer Street and Great Windmill Street. It covers the Windmill Soho nightclub and other venues.

Deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “Officers responded quickly to this report, working closely with City of London Police to arrest a man within minutes.

“Detectives are quickly progressing inquiries as part of this investigation.

The police cordon on Shaftesbury Avenue on Christmas Day
The police cordon on Shaftesbury Avenue on Christmas Day (PA)
The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue on Christmas morning
The scene on Shaftesbury Avenue on Christmas morning (PA)

“It’s believed that the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement.

“Several scenes remain in place at the location today.

“This has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related.”

Anyone with information is asked to call officers on 101 or post @MetCC ref CAD 233 of December 25.

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