Four injured after car drives onto pavement in central London on Christmas Day

Four people were injured, one seriously, after being hit by a car driving on the pavement in London’s West End in the early hours of Christmas Day.

The driver, a 31-year-old man, was arrested for attempted murder.

The incident is not considered terrorism-related and is believed to have taken place following an “altercation at a nightclub”, the Metropolitan Police said.

Police were called at 12.45am on Wednesday following reports of a collision and a car traveling on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in Covent Garden.

Four pedestrians were taken to hospital and one remains in life-threatening condition, police said.

Scotland Yard said the suspect got into an argument at a nightclub “before getting into his car and driving onto the pavement”.

A police cordon is in place, with blood and clothing, including a jacket, shoes and a hat, strewn on the sidewalk outside a Caffe Concerto.

The cordon stretches between the Gielgud theater, where the musical takes place Olivier! is performed, and the Sondheim Theater, which houses Les Miserables.

Assistant Deputy Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “Officers responded quickly to this report, working closely with City of London Police to arrest a man within minutes.

“Detectives are making rapid progress with this investigation.

“It is believed the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub before getting into his car and driving onto the sidewalk.

“Several scenes remain in place on site today.

“This is an isolated incident and is not related to terrorism.”