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Belgian police raised security in the port of Antwerp after a car laden with weapons sped through a busy shopping street, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way.

The federal prosecutor's office said the car, with French license plates, ran a red light on Thursday morning before being intercepted by police at the port docks.

The bomb squad was brought in and security was increased in the centre of the town in places where people normally congregate.

A French national was arrested.

In the car, authorities said they found knives, a shotgun and a gas can with an unknown liquid.

The office said "because of these elements, and the events in London yesterday, the case is being taken on by the federal prosecutor's office," which usually deals with extremist attacks.

Prime Minister Charles Michel said "we remain vigilant. Our security services have done excellent work."

The events happened a day after the nation held remembrance services for the Brussels airport and subway attacks, which killed 32 people on March 22, 2016.

And it was less than 24 hours after a man ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in a terror attack that struck the heart of London.

The attack left four dead - including the attacker and PC Keith Palmer who had been guarding Parliament - and 29 injured.