A man is being questioned by police on suspicion of attempted murder after four pedestrians were hit by a car in London’s West End on Christmas Day.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at 0.45am on Wednesday following reports of a collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in the capital’s theatre district.
Four pedestrians were taken to hospital, with one left in a life-threatening condition, police said.
Police said they believed the suspect was “involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement”.
They added that it had “been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related”.
Blood and items of clothing including a jacket, shoes and a hat were strewn across the pavement in front of a Caffe Concerto.
The police cordon stretched between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables.
A further police cordon was on Archer Street and Great Windmill Street, covering the Windmill Soho nightclub and other venues in the Soho area.
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.
“It’s believed that the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement.
“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.
