A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car rammed into four people outside a London nightclub in the early hours of Christmas Day.
Police were called at 12.45am following reports of the ‘nightclub bust-up’ which involved a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue, W1.
Four pedestrians have been taken to hospital with one remaining in a life-threatening condition, as blood remains strewn across the pavement.
Items of clothing that have been scattered on the scene include a jacket, shoes and a hat in front of the Caffe Concerto.
A police cordon stretches between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables.
The Met says officers responded within minutes to the incident and that they have now launched an investigation.
It is believed the suspect mounted the pavement after he was involved in an altercation at the venue.
The incident has also been described as isolated and is not thought to be terror-related.
Four pedestrians have been taken to hospital with one remaining in a life-threatening condition, as blood remains strewn across the pavement
A police cordon stretches between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables
Items of clothing that have been scattered on the scene include a jacket, shoes and a hat in front of the Caffe Concerto
Though, officers continue to monitor the area while enquiries into the ‘attempted murder’ continue.
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 enquiries as part of this investigation. 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 terrorism related.’
Shaftsebury Avenue is a high traffic and bustling thoroughfare home to some of the largest theatres in the West End.
It was built between 1877 and 1886 to provide a north–south traffic artery through the crowded districts of Soho and St. Giles.
Among the shows that would have been on last night at the renowned Shaftsebury Theatre are Mrs Doubtfire based on hit film ‘Poppets’ and dynamic new dance show Burn the Floor.
Map indicating Shaftsebury Avenue – a high traffic and bustling thoroughfare home to some of the largest theatres in the West End
Police were called at 12.45 am following reports of a road traffic collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (pictured)
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