A 44-year-old man was arrested after attempting to smash his way into Brent Council’s headquarters in Wembley with a road sweeper’s broom, forcing the building into lockdown on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
The incident saw the man shouting at security staff while trying to force his way through revolving doors and striking windows with the broom.
Brent Council leader Cllr Muhammed Butt said the safety of staff and visitors “is our highest priority”.
The incident comes less than three months after 17-year-old David Wynter was stabbed to death inside the reception area of the council headquarters on Engineers Way, Wembley, as staff desperately tried to save him.
The man involved in Tuesday’s disturbance was arrested by Metropolitan Police officers within 30 minutes.
Footage shared on social media appeared to show security staff calmly stopping the revolving doors and guarding the entrance while the man struck the windows with a piece of the broom handle he had snapped off.
Cllr Butt confirmed that the individual had previously been banned from council premises.
He said: “The safety of our staff and everyone using the building is our highest priority. In recent months, we have strengthened our security procedures and arrangements.
“This morning, an individual who was previously banned from council premises attempted to enter the building. On being asked to leave the building, he became aggressive and returned with a road sweeper broom. Our security team followed established procedures to keep building users safe, and dealt with the situation calmly and professionally.
“We are grateful to the Metropolitan Police for their swift response. Officers located and arrested the individual within 30 minutes of the incident.”
Police arrest 44-year-old man
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at around 09:10hrs on Tuesday, 10 November to reports of a man attempting to enter the Civic Centre in Engineers Way, Wembley, subsequently causing damage to the front of the building.
“Officers attended and arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of causing criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, causing racially/religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, and possession of a class A drug. He remains in police custody.
“We are aware of social media footage purporting to show part of the incident and appreciate the concern it may cause. We take incidents of this kind seriously; officers responded and swiftly made an arrest.”
Incident follows fatal stabbing at council headquarters
The security incident comes after the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old David Wynter inside Brent Civic Centre on 25 August 2026.
David died after being attacked inside the building, having reportedly run into the reception area seeking refuge.
A 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy were subsequently arrested and charged with murder. Neither can be named for legal reasons.
A third teenager, 18-year-old Jahquarn St Hillaire, was also charged with murder.
