If your neighbour’s cat or dog is regularly fouling in your garden, you might be wondering what your rights are – and what you can realistically do about it. I consulted some experts to find out, and I was quite surprised

If you’re a homeowner with a garden, you’ll understand that a lot of effort goes into maintaining its appearance. It’s particularly vital to keep it looking good, especially during the summer months, when you’re using the outdoor space more often.

However, one issue that can be genuinely frustrating is when your neighbour’s pet repeatedly fouls on your lawn. Naturally the animals aren’t aware it’s inappropriate, and it can be overlooked occasionally.

But if it’s turning into a frequent problem and you’re unsure how to proceed, I consulted several legal experts – and they all offered the same guidance, which can help you to avoid a potential conflict with your neighbours.

What to do if a cat keeps pooing in your garden

Interestingly, the regulations differ for dogs and cats – meaning your rights vary too.

Jack Malnick, Founder and Managing Director at Sell House Fast, explained: “When it comes to cats, the law is different compared to dogs. Cats are not covered by any specific legislation that requires owners to keep them confined, unlike dogs, which are subject to rules under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

“This means cat owners are generally not legally responsible if their cat wanders into a neighbour’s garden or enters another property, as long as the cat is not causing structural damage or health issues. However, cat owners do have a “legal duty of care” to make sure their pets’ welfare needs are met. This includes allowing cats to display normal behaviours, such as exploring and roaming.”

However, his guidance — which was what basically all the professionals suggested — is to speak with your neighbour initially before escalating matters. He said: “If a neighbour’s cat or dog is causing problems, the best first step is usually to have a calm conversation with your neighbour. They may not even realise there is an issue, and talking it through can help both sides find a simple solution and avoid rising tensions.”

What if it’s a neighbour’s dog?

If it’s a dog that’s making a mess of your garden, the situation is different. According to David Gammill, owners of dogs have more responsibility, and are more liable.

He said: “Dogs are treated differently because their owners are expected to keep them under control. If a dog leaves waste in a public or shared area covered by local rules, the person responsible for the dog will usually need to clean it up. If they fail to do this, the council may issue a fine.

“Communal gardens, shared courtyards, and paths may be covered by council, housing association, or building rules. If dog waste is regularly left in one of these spaces, you can report it to the council, landlord, housing association, or property manager.

“If a neighbour’s dog repeatedly enters your private garden, the situation may involve trespass or nuisance. If the dog damages your grass, plants, fence, or other property, you may also be able to ask the owner to pay for the damage.”

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What do the professionals advise?

As mentioned earlier, the majority of experts recommended that you shouldn’t confront your neighbour aggressively. Instead, attempt to collect some evidence initially, so you can present it if needed.

Benson Varghese, a Board Certified Criminal Lawyer, observed: “The first thing that homeowners suffering from a long-lasting problem should do is to keep a journal of the situation with pictures or video evidence.

“Having an evident example of the ongoing problem will be much more effective compared to a one-off case. Usually, before any legal action is taken, mediation is the preferable way to settle a dispute, as it often proves to be quicker and cheaper.”

If talking to your neighbour is unsuccessful and you’re still experiencing the issue, the sensible next move is to send a letter. This also establishes a record demonstrating that the owner was informed about the matter, according to Everett Lupton from Slaughter & Lupton.

Following this, the local authority might investigate whether any local regulations are being violated. Everett said: “If the pet causes clear damage, the homeowner may ask the owner to cover the cost. A civil claim may also be possible when there is strong evidence and a specific financial loss.”

The experts also agreed that while pursuing your neighbour through the courts might ultimately be an option, it should be an absolute final measure, so it’s worthwhile attempting to resolve matters amicably first.

How to deter cats and dogs from your garden

Thankfully, there are numerous safe methods to discourage animals from entering your garden and causing disruption.

Peter Thum-Bonanno, Co-Founder and CTO of GetAgent, suggested motion-activated sprinklers, citrus peel and proprietary cat repellent granules, describing them as ‘all legal and widely used’.

He went on to say: “Securing boundaries where possible, checking for gaps in fencing or hedging, removes the point of entry entirely. These are not legal remedies but they solve the practical problem quickly while any formal process runs its course.”

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A fast-moving wildfire driven by strong winds and high temperatures swept across northwest Spokane on Saturday before jumping the Spokane River and prompting the evacuation of thousands of people.

The Old Trails Fire started around noon, burning brush and grass in an open area, but quickly spread north and east toward residential areas. Cars lined the roads as people fled their homes, and orange and red flames were visible from the highway.

The blaze sent a plume of smoke billowing over the region, and as of the evening almost 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) of terrain had been burned, said Courtney James, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

The cause was under investigation.

“We urge residents of Spokane to heed evacuation orders and to stay alert to changing conditions and evacuations as they are rapidly changing,” James said.

Some structures were lost but officials did not yet have a solid count, said Jessica Watson, a DNR spokesperson for the fire. Firefighters had zero containment as of the evening and the wind continued to blow, she said.

Power company Avista said it implemented public safety shutoffs in the area due to elevated fire risk.

Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency Saturday after unusually high temperatures and high winds exacerbated record wildfires across the state. The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag alert for eastern Washington.

Donald Trump says he has cancelled strikes against Iran provided a deal was struck “rapidly” with the country.

In a post on Truth Social, the US president wrote that he had decided to “cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL” – which would include the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to “Iran’s nuclear threat”.

Trump said the decision had been taken alongside Israel. The announcement came amid US media reports that Washington might have been planning new, intense strikes on Iran over the weekend.

Tehran earlier accused the US of escalating tensions, saying any regional state co-operating with Washington would be “engulfed by the flames of war”.

In the post, Trump said the US was “locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II”.

But he said he had cancelled the strikes after being “asked” by Iran and other countries in the Middle East to “hold off” on any attack to allow for a deal to be reached.

He appeared to suggest progress towards an agreement had been made, saying that the “perimeters of a deal has been agreed to”.

“This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” he wrote.

Iran has not yet responded to Trump’s announcement.

The US government had earlier urged Americans across the Middle East to be alert and ready to leave “should there be escalation” in the region.

“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions,” the security alert said on Saturday.

The perfect pub crawl awaits you, hidden in a picture-perfect village, surrounded by water and beautiful boats, so you can sip away as you take in the riverside scenery

If you’re looking for a day out that offers something different, a modest but mighty pub crawl around one picturesque village in Norfolk could be just the thing you didn’t know you needed.

Approximately two hours from Cambridge, the region is bursting with character and endless villages tucked within its crevices, but what many don’t realise is that this small spot is a paradise for punters. In a small proximity it’s home to three traditional pubs, all with beer gardens overlooking the water.

The village of Horning offers an idyllic day trip, located in the Broads National Park on the northern bank of the River Bure. The river acts as the heart of the village, running through its entirety, and with it comes stunning views to indulge in.

Like any good British village, it’s home to a traditional pub – make that three – and its own quaint gastropub to go along with them. So, visitors can take a sip at each stop and sit outside in the beer garden and watch the world go by before making their way to the next one.

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Village pubs

Starting on the outside of the village and making your way in, you’ll find yourself at The Swan Inn, a cosy country pub serving hearty food. Their well-stocked bar is made up of a variety of cask ales, fine wines and British gin which is perfectly enjoyed from the comfort of the beer garden or, in the winter, by the crackling log fires.

It boasts a sturdy four-star rating on Google, where visitors have left rave reviews of their experience, whether for a quick pint or a bite to eat.

One review reads: “Another gorgeous pub with lovely staff in beautiful surroundings. We visited yesterday for drinks and sat overlooking the Broads. We thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the views especially.”

Making your way in the heart of the village, closer to its centre, is The New Inn, with a 4.2-star Google rating and a sure selection of seats overlooking the water. It boasts a charming riverside terrace, which is the ideal spot to soak up the sun.

One visitor shared their experience, saying: “The lunch was great. And I can recommend the roast beef. Service was brilliant also, and we felt really looked after. If you are on a boating holiday on the Broads this year, I would recommend giving them a visit (by all means give them a call and book a mooring too).”

At the end of the village, by the marina, with the most beautiful views of the boats docked in the water, is The Ferry Inn. This tends to be the place where people holiday in their boats or the nearby cottages available for rent, and so the pub can see its fair share of visitors.

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A visitor dubbed the spot a “brilliant pub” with “plenty of space” in a great location for mooring. Meanwhile, another wrote: “We stopped here on our day boat hire. There’s a guy who helps you moor, and he’s awesome, really helpful, and super friendly.

“Lovely setting by the Broads, great views. The food was incredible, especially the chicken tenders!”

Overall, whether you’re a part of the boating community or not, the village proves to be as picturesque as it is inviting, and even if you don’t make a stop at each one, you likely won’t regret a delicious lunch in any pub that Horning has to offer by the water.

NEW YORK (AP) — Members of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets celebrated the 40th anniversary of the franchise’s last title on Saturday.

That Mets team won 108 regular-season games and beat the Boston Red Sox in a seven-game Fall Classic.

Members of that squad marveled at the miraculous turn of events against Boston on the way to the championship and lamented the plight of the current team, which has the second-worst record in the National League at 47-64 heading into Saturday’s game against Miami.

“When we started the year, our ultimate goal was to win the world championship,” former reliever Roger McDowell said before an on-field ceremony before the start of Saturday’s game. “And when you’re the last one standing, that’s the best feeling in the world.”

The Mets felt far differently when they were one out away from elimination and trailing by two runs in the 10th inning of Game 6 of that World Series.

“To be honest, my exact words — I didn’t tell anyone this, but I will say this (now) — ‘We’re about to blow this,’” Mookie Wilson said. “‘We’re about to blow this thing.’”

Gary Carter hit a single that began a stunning comeback for the Mets, who forced a Game 7 when Wilson’s grounder slipped under Bill Buckner’s glove and between his legs as Ray Knight, clasping his hands atop his head, raced home with the winning run.

Following a rainout, the Mets overcame a three-run deficit and won Game 7 by the score of 8-5.

“I don’t think any of us could have ever predicted or imagined that one instance in time and baseball history would bring that much joy to people and just create a lasting memory that they just tell their kids and grandkids about,” Wilson said. “I know I do. I talk about it all the time. My grandkids, they watch videos and they want to know about it.”

Twenty-two members of the 1986 team gathered behind second base for the ceremony, along with Carter’s widow and children. Family members representing late manager Davey Johnson, late general manager Frank Cashen and late coaches Bud Harrelson and Bill Robinson were also on the field.

The Mets have reached the World Series just twice since 1986, losing in five games to the crosstown Yankees in 2000, and to the Kansas City Royals in 2015. New York reached Game 6 of the NL Championship Series in 2024.

This season’s Mets are in last place in the NL East.

“Every ballplayer you have out there wants to win — every one, not one player goes out there wanting to lose,” Wilson said, “The problem is how to win. Sometimes, you have to be uncomfortable. And that’s I think where we are.”

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

There’s something almost comic about the modern British summer ritual: as soon as the mercury climbs, we head to the nearest park, sit cross-legged on scorched grass, and hunch over a flimsy foil tray to sear sausages over an open flame.

But these disposable BBQs are now active wildfire risks. This summer, the UK has been experiencing what some fire scientists are calling a “firewave” – when heatwaves create the perfect conditions for wildfires, especially within cities. As a result, some councils have banned the use of disposable BBQs on council-owned parks, beaches and other public spaces.

It comes as London is on high alert for wildfires following four successive heatwaves so far this summer and minimal rainfall. The current fire danger forecast for the UK is set at “very extreme”.

This coincides with record fires in France, Spain and Greece, forcing evacuations of major cities including Bordeaux. While wildfires are a common occurrence, their frequency and intensity is increasing with climate change. At any given moment, thousands are being recorded across the globe by satellites and can be viewed in real time.

The devastating news of the fires in mainland Europe may make it seem like the problem is across the channel, but the UK statistics back up the unease. Over the weekend, the London Fire Brigade responded to over 1,300 incidents.

With temperatures expected to remain high and the skies clear of rain, the risk is only increasing. Most of England currently classifies as very high risk under the Fire Safety Index.

Meanwhile, South Wales Fire and Rescue has been battling flames in the Blaenavon area since July 20. This has been affecting air quality in the Cardiff area, despite the Welsh capital being 30km away from the blaze.

Almost all UK wildfires are being started by people. So given the hot summer we’re in, wouldn’t a crisp salad and a piece of fresh fruit make more sense than crouching over hot coals?

The BBQ risk

Disposable BBQs are a major preventable ignition source. The coals inside them are separated from the surface by only a thin aluminium tray that becomes extremely hot. This directly heats the surface below, rather than dispersing into open air the way it might around a fixed barbecue stand. Charcoal embers can also easily blow from the BBQ onto the ground and ignite dry grass, leaf litter, heathland or peat in sustained dry conditions.

On exposed coastlines, particularly where cliffs are capped with dry peat or gorse, wind can carry embers further and faster than on a still inland afternoon. Peat is exceptionally carbon rich. Found in bogs, fens and marshy uplands, it is formed very much the same way as coal and contains the partially decomposed remains of ancient plants and animals. This organic matter can smoulder underground for days and even weeks after it looks like a fire has been put out, presenting additional challenges for the fire services.

Even after charcoal appears extinguished, BBQ trays can stay hot for hours after the last sausage comes off the grill. And binning a warm BBQ creates a second danger, since barbecues discarded before cooling have started bin fires.

For these reasons, disposable BBQs are one of the first items that fire services request people avoid. For those at the throng, discarded cigarettes and vapes with faulty batteries add another source of ignition to the same dry conditions.

Then there’s the rubbish. A disposable BBQ picnic doesn’t just leave behind food packaging. There is the packaging for the BBQ itself, as well as the spent grill and ash, plus disposable plates and cutlery: three waste streams where a carefully packed lunch can produce far less.

Half-cooked meat and leftovers often end up in general rubbish bins rather than food waste bins, if they reach a bin at all. Often picnickers’ rubbish bags are too large to put in general park bins, and are often left beside an overflowing bin. Unfortunately it doesn’t necessarily stay there. Bagged waste is often scattered by foxes and gulls before collection crews arrive, turning good intentions into more litter on the ground.

Here’s the reframe worth sitting with: if you think of yourself as a climate aware, nature-loving type, cooking over open flame on parched grassland isn’t actually a wholesome outdoorsy choice. It risks the landscape you’re claiming to enjoy, triples the rubbish of an ordinary picnic and burns fossil-fuel-derived charcoal to heat food you could just as happily eat cold.

The simplest, healthiest and most environmental option is also the easiest one: pack a fresh, plant-based meal in a container that seals, and use that same container for anything you don’t finish. No flame, no ash, no coals, no fire risk and no extra rubbish.

Skipping the disposable BBQ used to mean giving something up. But given the risk, the mess and the heat we’re now living with, packing a salad is simply the better option.

The Pisces Moon faces of with Venus in Virgo, creating an emotionally charged cosmic field. Give yourself grace today.

Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, it won’t harm to reflect on your sense of self. Take some time to mull over your identity, but don’t place too much weight on others’ perceptions.

Give yourself permission to slow down. You don’t need to be a hundred miles an hour at all times to max out productivity.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Sunday August 2, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Is it time for a gentle pause between being and doing? The Pisces Moon faces off with Venus in Virgo, so a part of you may want to get on with your to-do list, while another part might be ready to disappear into a daydream. It’s a good idea to balance both, as this will give you the inspiration needed to bring a wonderful creation to life while remaining very efficient.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Your personal hobbies call out to you, so if you’re in the mood to fashion something beautiful, this is the time to go ahead. Don’t let your talents go to waste. Whatever allows you to shine, be sure to share and express it today. Don’t forget your friends, though, as they’ll want a slice of you too. An invitation or get-together could introduce you to people you’ll feel at home with.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Your attention may be drawn to your public image and to your many accomplishments. You’ll also be very tuned into how other people feel about you, which could be very revealing. You might want to get some quiet time to think things through. Venus in your home zone encourages you to make this the highlight of the day, so enjoy some pampering.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Have a yearning to get away from it all and bask in a place of peace and renewal? Even so, Venus in your sector of talk and thought encourages you to attend to your tasks and responsibilities first. It’s best not to leave anything hanging in the air. Thinking of a quick getaway? Then prioritise those important jobs, so you can really relax when you get there.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

The Moon in an intense zone can stir up feelings that you may have been trying to ignore. It’s better to acknowledge them and even embrace them, as it will be so much easier to let them go. You’ll feel much better too. As it faces Venus in your personal money zone, you may be tempted to buy something special for yourself. A treat could leave you feeling especially upbeat.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

You may be torn between attending to your own needs and helping someone else. While it’s natural for you to do what you can to make others’ lives easier, you’re encouraged to put yourself first today. Do what’s necessary to make yourself comfortable and happy. Yet this is also an opportunity for a heartfelt conversation that can heal and resolve any issues.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

A dream may need some deciphering, and there’s a sense that it could be very important in helping you know what to do about a situation or relationship. Don’t let your work take over; push it to one side. Your inner wisdom is trying to give you a message, so take time today to consider what it’s trying to tell you. The insights will be revealing and inspire change too.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Sometimes it’s nice to potter around doing your own thing in a relaxed way, but friends may have other ideas and could be quite determined that you’ll join them for a social occasion. In this case, it could be good for you to make the effort, as an encounter or conversation could clear up a matter that’s been bothering you. A friend’s expert advice might open the way.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Venus in your sector of public image means her presence can help you present a polished appearance that can’t fail to impress. As the Moon faces off with this sociable planet today, a desire to totally relax may conflict with a need to give your best performance. Make allowances for both situations, as a chance to refuel can help you make the best impression.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

The wisest people are often those who keep learning, and you’ll have a reminder of this today, as a local encounter could be the reason you decide to expand your outlook. An idea or suggestion might lead you to look abroad for new travel experiences or to study as a way to increase your knowledge. Zeroing in on local developments can also fire you up.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

It’s time to pay attention to what nourishes you, and the current Moon-Venus aspect can give you a clue. Yet it might not be what you think. Yearning for something that can help you to feel better? Tempted to rush out to buy something? Pause, as it might be something deeper, such as connecting with someone you haven’t heard from for a while or healing a lingering rift.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

The Moon in your sign makes you aware of your needs, while its tie with Venus in Virgo can find others drawn to you because you leave them feeling better. You’ll want to accommodate them too, but don’t leave yourself overwhelmed by others’ demands. Carve out some time to do your own thing and give yourself the respite you deserve. You won’t regret it, Pisces.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of August here.

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Chancellor John Healey has vowed not to let supermarkets ‘take the public for a ride’ as the Iran war continues to cripple drivers at the petrol pumps.

The former defence minister insisted he would be closely watching in a bid to protect the public from price gouging at the pumps.

However, he also conceded that he could not ‘completely stop the squeeze’ on families and businesses amid the Iranian conflict.

It comes as the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised to give families and businesses ‘breathing room’ following a cost-of-living crisis that has lasted years.

Fuel costs skyrocketed earlier this year after Iran cut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas supplies.

Petrol prices are now at their most expensive since 2022, with unleaded having reached 160p per litre, according to the RAC.

Meanwhile, Mr Healey signalled he would be ready to intervene to protect consumers from unfair price rises at home.

‘We’ll be watching closely for any suggestions that customers are being taken for a ride at the pump or the till,’ he said.

He described the willingness of firms to work with him amid the ongoing crisis as positive, and said there was no ‘significant evidence’ of supposed ‘price gouging’.

But he reassured the public that regulators will have the powers to ‘clamp down on it if it happens’.

John Healey (pictured on July 21) vowed not to let supermarkets ‘take the public for a ride’ as the Iran war continues to cripple drivers at the petrol pumps

It comes as Mr Healey said he had spoken to international counterparts in his first days as chancellor about their joint economic response to the ongoing war in Iran.

‘Being frank, we can’t completely stop the squeeze that families and businesses will feel with a global shock of this scale,’ he added.

He said the government would be ‘active’ and ‘hands on’, adding that they would put ‘British interests firsts’ and allow breathing space to those feeling the financial crunch.

He added that they would make the country ‘more resilient so we can better weather these shocks in the future’.

Mr Burnham has announced a succession of measures aimed at alleviating cost-of-living pressures, such as a cut in VAT on energy bills and capping bus fares at £2 throughout 2027 since taking office.

The Prime Minister reiterated on Sunday that he would like to take further action to bring down utility bills and rail fares.

‘I think rail fares are too high, outrageously so in some instances. So that’s something that’s in my sights.

‘I mentioned VAT and electricity bills. It’s a short-term measure at this moment, but let’s see where we can go with that,’ he told the Sunday Mirror.

The raft of measures Mr Burnham has unveiled, including cutting business rates for pubs and an expansion of technical training in schools, are likely to require additional spending.

Mr Healey promised that his first budget would be ‘built on fiscal discipline’ as he revealed this week that it would take place on October 28.

Officials have said Mr Burnham and Mr Healey agreed the Budget must have a built-in £23.6billion buffer against the Government’s self-imposed borrowing rules, the Financial Times reported.

He and the Prime Minister have written to the Cabinet to make clear there is no new money coming for the fresh pledges, he told The Times.

Departments need to be ready to ‘shift funding away from unproductive or legacy programmes that no longer reflect this administration’s priorities,’ he wrote in the letter.

Earlier this year, the previous Chancellor Rachel Reeves tried to put pressure on retailers to cap food prices in a bid to limit inflation as the Iran war raged on.

She received backlash for the proposals from supermarket bosses, which saw Ms Reeves abandon the idea.

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin branded the proposals ‘preposterous’, meanwhile, Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, described the idea as ‘unsustainable’.

The explosion occurred close to a restaurant terrace on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow on Saturday evening at approximately 8:10pm (6:10pm BST), killing three and injuring 21, the Interior Ministry confirmed

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Three individuals have lost their lives and 21 others have been wounded after an explosion near a Moscow restaurant, police have confirmed.

The blast took place adjacent to a restaurant terrace on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow on Saturday evening at around 8:10pm (6:10pm BST), with the Interior Ministry releasing a statement on Russian social media platform Max.

Officials told state news agency Ria Novosti that the incident led to “three deaths and 15 injured, of varying degrees of seriousness”. The committee later revised the injury figure upwards from 15 to 21 people, taking the overall casualty toll to at least 24.

The injured were undergoing medical care.

Among the dead were “a security guard who prevented an unknown woman suspected of trying to carry the explosive device into the restaurant, the unknown woman and one of the visitors,” a committee statement cited by the Tass news agency revealed.

Video footage published by the agency showed heavily armed police officers at the scene, which had been sealed off from members of the public, the BBC reports.

While the cause remains uncertain, the Baza Telegram channel suggested it happened within the restaurant’s kitchen area.

An eyewitness told the channel that a wedding reception with approximately 50 attendees was taking place at the premises, stating they saw bloodied individuals being carried out in the aftermath of the explosion. Dozens of cyclists who had gathered in the vicinity for an evening ride through the city saw their plans abandoned.

Officers and emergency crews rushed to the location, with officials confirming an investigation into what triggered the blast.

According to Russian media outlets, traffic in the area surrounding the square has been suspended temporarily, while access points to Barrikadnaya metro station have been closed.