BBC petrol suicide: Police detain man for threatening to self-immolate outside Broadcasting House

Metropolitan Police officers have arrested a man at BBC Broadcasting House after he allegedly poured petrol over himself outside the broadcaster's HQ and held out a lighter.

The man was apprehended by police officers this morning and pinned to the ground.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed to IBTimes UK that a man had been detained.

"Police were called today, Wednesday, 10 June at 9:11am to the BBC, Portland Place, W1 to reports of a man threatening to set fire to himself.

"Officers attended and the man has been detained. We remain at the scene and as a precaution, two bags at the location are being looked at by specialist officers.

"A cordon is in place around the front of the building. Officers are working closely with security. The building has not been evacuated."