Looking down the The Mall towards Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty Images (file)
"Police officers were on patrol on The Mall at approximately 18:30 hrs on Tuesday 13 April when they spotted a man carrying an axe," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
"Armed officers were on duty nearby. They attended the scene where the male - believed to be in his 40s - was detained and arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon."
There were no reports of any injuries.
