A MAN has been arrested after being found with a bow and arrow outside the House of Lords – as peers are warned to be “vigilant”.
Cops cuffed the suspect when the weapon was seized from his vehicle while at a Parliament car park last Wednesday around 6.15am.
The suspect was found in a Parliament car park[/caption]It is alleged he tried to climb the scaffolding and gain entry to the House of Lords shortly before he was nicked.
He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, tampering with a vehicle and breaching organised crime laws.
The man, who has not yet been named, was taken in to custody and sectioned under the mental health act, say Met Police.
He has been bailed pending further investigation.
Peers have now been warned to stay extra “vigilant” by security, reports The Standard.
A Met Police spokesman said: “A man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon at approximately 6.15am on Wednesday, September 25 in the vicinity of the Peers Car Park.
“A bow and arrow were found in his car at the location.
“He was further arrested for breaching Serious Organised Crime and Police Act legislation and vehicle interference.
“He was subsequently sectioned under the mental health act and remains in the care of medical professionals.
“He has been bailed pending further enquires to a date in late December in relation to the criminal investigation.”
The House of Lords and House of Commons are in recess between Friday September 13 and Monday October 7 – meaning limited staff are in the building.
It is the second chamber of UK Parliament and is responsible for examining crucial bills, questioning government action and investigating public policy.
A House of Lords spokesperson said: “An incident in the vicinity of peers’ car park was handled swiftly by the Metropolitan Police.
“The security of everyone on the Parliamentary estate remains our foremost priority.
“We do not comment on specific security advice.”