A pedestrian was trapped under a London black cab and three others were left injured after it mounted a kerb and smashed into crowds in Covent Garden.

Armed police were called to the scene at the tourist hot spot after reports the vehicle had smashed into people as shoppers watched on in horror.

Metropolitan Police confirmed the driver was being held after stopping at the scene and officers do not believe the incident was terror-related.

A shocking picture shows the mangled car after it came to a halt by crashing into a lamppost near building works.

The incident appears to have taken place just a few yards from the Jubilee Market Hall, with stalls pictured in the background of photo. 

The London Ambulance Service said it had crews on the scene, but there was no immediate word on the number of casualties.