A REPORTED 'terrorist incident' has unfolded outside the Houses of Parliament where a man in an SUV mowed down several people.

Around three shots were heard which are believed to have been from armed police.

The Palace of Westminster is currently in lockdown, with suggestions on social media that someone had been shot and a man had been seen with a knife on the grounds.

Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti is not in Parliament, and is instead away on other business.

Everyone in Luke Hall’s (MP for Thornbury and Yate) office is safe. They have been told to remain in their offices and to await further instructions from security services.

Stroud MP Neil Carmichael is also safe and well.

Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown is safe and well but he, along with all other MPs in Parliament, has been confined to his office and told to lock the door and not emerge until given the all clear.

He said: "A vote had just been closed and I walked with my colleagues to Portcullis House, when a vast number of people told us all to 'run, run, run'.

"We ran to Portcullis House and I went to my office which faces on to Bridge Street.

"I didn't personally see what happened but my staff did, they said a man in an SUV was driving down Westminster Bridge trying to mow people down.

"He killed at least two people and must have severely injured more.

"He slammed his car into someone against the bridge and fled his vehicle.

"After running around the corner he attacked a police man with two knives.

"Another officer then shot the man, and we aren't sure whether he was killed.

"We're all very traumatised and upset but all safe and locked in my office."

Scotland Yard said in a statement: "Police are asking people to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube. 

 "This is to allow the emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident. 

 "Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

"We thank the public for their assistance."

The attacker mowed down several pedestrians as he drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster and stabbing the officer.

Witnesses said he was shot by police as he approached a second officer while clutching his knife.

A junior doctor at the nearby St Thomas’ hospital confirmed at least one woman has died.