News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Armed police shot at a car that was allegedly deliberately driven into the Ukrainian ambassador's vehicle and towards officers in a plush neighbourhood of west London.

The dramatic incident happened while the car used for official duties by Ambassador Natalia Galibarenko was parked outside the Ukrainian Embassy in Holland Park in Kensington.

It is alleged the car crashed into parked vehicles - twice ramming the ambassador's vehicle - and drove towards the officers as they arrived on scene.

Residents reported hearing as many as ten gunshots on Saturday morning.

The Met Police said a man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of police officers and criminal damage, and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Police confirmed the incident is not being treated as terrorist-related.

Did you witness the shooting or the aftermath? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.

(Image: SplashNews.com)

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

No-one from the embassy or the police force was injured.

A woman who works at a nearby shop said she heard shots fired twice.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said officers arrived "very quick", adding: "I saw many police cars coming."

Henry Greenfields, 80, told MyLondon a neighbour had heard shots fired near the Ukrainian Embassy and saw police shoot.

He added: “We didn’t hear shots ourselves but the embassy is the best part of 200 yards away with big buildings in between.”

(Image: PA)

(Image: Wikipedia)

Another neighbour says she heard the gunshots and said it sounded like firecrackers.

Heather Feiner, originally from Texas in the US, said: "I heard the gunshots and that prompted me to look out of the window.

"It was like a pop-pop. It sounded like firecrackers. I thought, 'What the heck, it's not Guy Fawkes.'

"My kids were hanging out in the living room. They said, 'Mum, is that firecrackers?'

"I saw all this police activity. I thought, 'Oh my gosh, what's going on?"'

The mother-of-two said there were about four marked police cars outside by the time she reached her window on the ground floor flat.

"From the time I heard the shots until I got to the window, which took about 15 seconds, all these police cars were already there," she said.

Heather said she saw police pointing a firearm at a car.

Emma Slatter, who is Visa’s legal chief, watched the scene unfold with her banker partner David Hinsley.

When the firing died down Emma saw police had a man on the ground.

(Image: PA) (Image: SplashNews.com)

Police forensics officers later arrived and began carrying out an investigation around a Mercedes car that had a shattered driver's side window.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "A man has been arrested following an incident in Holland Park this morning (13 April).

"Police attended at approximately 09:50hrs on Saturday, 13 April after reports of antisocial behaviour involving a car in Holland Park, W11.

"On arrival, the car was driven and was in collision with a number of parked vehicles near the Ukrainian Embassy in Holland Park.

"As part of the protective security arrangements for London, armed officers were deployed to this incident.

"On arrival at the scene, a vehicle was driven at police officers.

"Police firearms and Taser were discharged, the vehicle was stopped and a man, aged in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of police officers and criminal damage.

"He has been taken to a central London hospital as a precaution and is now in custody at a central London police station. He was not injured."

Chief Superintendent Andy Walker, from the Met's Specialist Firearms Command, said: "As is standard procedure, an investigation is now ongoing into the discharge of a police firearm during this incident.

"While this takes place, I would like to pay tribute to the officers involved this morning who responded swiftly to this incident and put themselves in harm's way, as they do every day, to keep the people of London safe."

The incident is not being treated as terrorist-related, the force said.

The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and enquiries into the incident continue.

(Image: SplashNews.com)

A Ukrainian Embassy spokesman said: "Around 10 am on Saturday 13 April, the official vehicle of the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom was deliberately rammed as it sat parked in front of the Embassy of Ukraine’s building.

"The police were called immediately, and the suspect’s vehicle was blocked up.

"Nevertheless, despite the police actions, the attacker hit the ambassador’s car again.

"In response, the police were forced to open fire on the perpetrator’s vehicle.

"The culprit was apprehended and taken to a police station.

"No one of the embassy staff were injured. The police are investigating the suspect’s identity and motive for the attack."

(Image: SplashNews.com)

The spokesman said reports that shots were fired from the ambassador's vehicle were not true.

He said the embassy had not been threatened recently and that staff were all reported as safe.

Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan said he was "very concerned" to hear about the incident, and he has spoken with Ukrainian ambassador Natalia Galibarenko.

He tweeted: "Very concerned to hear of the incident near the Ukrainian Embassy this morning.

"I have just spoken to Ambassador Galibarenko @UkrEmbLondon and am glad to hear that no one was hurt.

"Thanks to the @metpoliceuk for such a swift response."

(Image: SWNS)

Ms Galibarenko, 40, has been Ukraine's ambassador to the UK since 2015.

The diplomat, from the capital Kiev, had previously served in a number of roles in the Eastern European country's government, including first deputy minister for foreign affairs.

The Holland Park area also contains the embassy of other countries including Greece and Uzbekistan.