Car ploughs into pedestrians near London’s Natural History Museum, several injured: Reports

08.58 pm: London Police say keeping an open mind as to whether museum incident is terrorism-related, contradicting earlier comment. (Reuters)

08.44pm: A witness said there were large numbers of police, including armed officers, and paramedics at the scene although the atmosphere appeared calm, reports Reuters.

08.36 pm: A police officer stands at a cordoned off area near the Natural History Museum. (Source: REUTERS)

08.32 pm: London Police say incident at Natural History Museum not being treated as a terrorism-related, reports Reuters.

08.24 pm: “Inquiries to establish the circumstances and motive are under way,” police said.

Police officers stand near the Natural History Museum. (source: Reuters)

08.17 pm: Britain is on its second highest security alert level, meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely, and there have been five attacks already this year, three involving a vehicle, reports news agency Reuters.

08.13 pm: The police described the incident in the South Kensington area of west London as a collision and said the motive for the incident was under investigation, reports Reuters.

08.10pm: The police statement said officers were on the scene and that London Ambulance Service had been called, reports Reuters.

08.07 pm: The museum said on Twitter it was working with police after “a serious incident” outside and would provide more information later, reports Reuters.

There’s been a serious incident outside the Museum. We are working w/ @metpoliceuk and will provide an update when we have more information

— NaturalHistoryMuseum (@NHM_London) October 7, 2017

08.05pm: A spokesman with the Natural History Museum said that no one was being allowed into the building and people were being let out through a different exit, reports Reuters.

08.03 pm: Police say a number of people have been injured and one person has been detained, reports Reuters.

08.00pm: London police say emergency services are outside the Natural History Museum, reports AP.