The gates of Buckingham Palace have been boarded up after the driver crashed into them late at night, with armed police shouting: ‘Keep your hands on your head’

The gates of Buckingham Palace have been boarded up after a driver crashed into them late at night.

Officers responded to the scene early on Saturday morning after a car smashed into the main entrance of the royal residence in Westminster, central London.

New images show the beautiful gates destroyed today with wooden panels and scaffolding as the damage caused by the impact is repaired.

Passersby may look at the boarded-up gates with confusion this morning as they walk past the palace.

Police confirmed a man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Armed officers were seen around 2.30am on Saturday surrounding the driver, who was on his knees, while ordering him to ‘keep your hands on your head’.

The car that crashed into the royal gates can be seen after the impact on Saturday morning

Footage shows the gates today destroyed with wooden panels and scaffolding as damage caused by the impact is repaired

The scaffolding remains in place after a man was arrested after crashing his vehicle into the gate

Police officers guard the gates, which were boarded up after the impact

People walk past the boarded up fences today after the collision in the early Saturday morning hours

The gates of Buckingham Palace are boarded up with wooden panels and scaffolding

Footage shows a car crashing into the main gate of Buckingham Palace, prompting armed police to shout at the driver to keep his hands on his head

Armed police were seen surrounding the driver who was on his knees and were ordered to place his hands on his head

A witness said he saw the dramatic scene unfold after hearing a “loud bang.”

The incident took place at the main entrance of Buckingham Palace in Westminster, central London

A witness to the incident, who asked to remain anonymous, said he saw the scene happen after hearing “a loud bang.”

“I heard a loud bang and looked over and saw the car had crashed into Buckingham Palace,” he said.

‘The police arrived on the scene quite quickly and took the man out and arrested him.’

According to the Met, there have been no reports of injuries. A police spokesperson said: ‘At around 2.33am on Saturday 9 March, a car collided with the gates of Buckingham Palace.

‘Armed officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage. He was taken to hospital.

‘There were no reports of injuries. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances.”