This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39363297

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
London attack: Seven held after armed police raids London attack: Eight held after armed police raids
(35 minutes later)
Seven arrests have been made in raids in London, Birmingham and elsewhere following an attack in Westminster that left four dead, police have said. Eight arrests have been made in raids in London, Birmingham and elsewhere following an attack in Westminster that left four dead, police have said.
Hundreds of detectives have worked through the night, carrying out searches at six addresses, Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Rowley said. Hundreds of detectives worked through the night, carrying out searches at six addresses, Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Rowley said.
The dead are PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade who worked at a London college, a man in his 50s and the attacker.The dead are PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade who worked at a London college, a man in his 50s and the attacker.
Seven of the injured are still in hospital in a critical condition.Seven of the injured are still in hospital in a critical condition.
A further 29 had been treated in hospital, Mr Rowley added.A further 29 had been treated in hospital, Mr Rowley added.
In the attack on Wednesday, a man drove a car along a pavement on Westminster Bridge knocking down pedestrians, creating panic and leaving dozens injured. In the attack on Wednesday afternoon, a man drove a car along a pavement on Westminster Bridge knocking down pedestrians, creating panic and leaving dozens injured.
He then ran towards Parliament where he stabbed PC Palmer who was unarmed. Armed police then shot dead the attacker in the grounds.He then ran towards Parliament where he stabbed PC Palmer who was unarmed. Armed police then shot dead the attacker in the grounds.
Mrs Frade worked at a London sixth form college just a few hundred metres from Westminster Bridge.Mrs Frade worked at a London sixth form college just a few hundred metres from Westminster Bridge.
Principal at DLD College, Rachel Borland, said she was "highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues".Principal at DLD College, Rachel Borland, said she was "highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues".
In a statement made outside Scotland Yard, Mr Rowley said: "The inquiries in Birmingham, London and other parts of the country are continuing. 'Every inch a hero'
In a statement to the House of Commons, Prime Minister Theresa May said the attacker had tried to silence democracy, saying it was an attack on free people everywhere.
Paying tribute to PC Palmer, she said: "He was every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten."
She revealed that the attacker, who acted alone, was British-born and was known to police and the intelligence services.
Some years ago he had been investigated by MI5 in relation to concerns about violent extremism, but he was a "peripheral figure" and was not part of the current intelligence picture, she said.
In a statement made outside Scotland Yard, Mr Rowley said seven arrests had been made - an eighth was announced several hours later.
"It is still our belief - which continues to be borne out by our investigation - that this attacker acted alone and was inspired by international terrorism."It is still our belief - which continues to be borne out by our investigation - that this attacker acted alone and was inspired by international terrorism.
"To be explicit, at this stage we have no specific information about further threats to the public.""To be explicit, at this stage we have no specific information about further threats to the public."
He said he would not name the bridge victims yet, who were "a mix of nationalities", and urged journalists not to publish the attacker's name while searches were continuing. He urged journalists not to publish the attacker's name while searches were continuing.
He said Londoners should expect to see more police officers on the streets, after officers' leave had been cancelled and duty hours extended.He said Londoners should expect to see more police officers on the streets, after officers' leave had been cancelled and duty hours extended.
It was initially thought that three members of the public had been killed on Westminster Bridge, but Mr Rowley referred to just two in his statement.It was initially thought that three members of the public had been killed on Westminster Bridge, but Mr Rowley referred to just two in his statement.
Director General of MI5 Andrew Parker condemned the attack as "appalling and disgusting".
The agency's operational response was "fully mobilised in support of the police", he said.
In other developments:In other developments:
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the "working assumption" was that the attack was linked to "Islamic terrorism in some form".Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the "working assumption" was that the attack was linked to "Islamic terrorism in some form".
He paid tribute to Pc Palmer, a 48-year-old father and husband, and an unarmed member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Squad who had served for 15 years.He paid tribute to Pc Palmer, a 48-year-old father and husband, and an unarmed member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Squad who had served for 15 years.
Pc Palmer stopped the attacker getting into Parliament and "gave his life for the democracy we all cherish", he told BBC Breakfast.Pc Palmer stopped the attacker getting into Parliament and "gave his life for the democracy we all cherish", he told BBC Breakfast.
Asked about the mood of the city, Sir Michael said: "London is getting back to normal. They've seen terrorism like this before and they are not going to let it triumph."Asked about the mood of the city, Sir Michael said: "London is getting back to normal. They've seen terrorism like this before and they are not going to let it triumph."
Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, said it was important to remember that "this was a story about people who didn't come home yesterday".Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, said it was important to remember that "this was a story about people who didn't come home yesterday".
Prime Minister Theresa May, who will make a statement shortly, said the attack was a "sick and depraved" attack on the heart of the capital, and such attempts to defeat UK values were "doomed to failure". US President Donald Trump was among world leaders to offer their support to Mrs May, tweeting: "Spoke to UK Prime Minister Theresa May today to offer condolences on the terrorist attack in London. She is strong and doing very well."
US President Donald Trump was among world leaders to offer their support, tweeting: "Spoke to UK Prime Minister Theresa May today to offer condolences on the terrorist attack in London. She is strong and doing very well." The Pope said in a letter to the Archbishop of Westminster that he had been "deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and the injuries" and "assured the nation of his prayers".
AnalysisAnalysis
By Dominic Casciani, home affairs correspondentBy Dominic Casciani, home affairs correspondent
The carnage on Westminster Bridge and inside the grounds of Parliament is the attack that security chiefs here in the UK have long been preparing for.The carnage on Westminster Bridge and inside the grounds of Parliament is the attack that security chiefs here in the UK have long been preparing for.
Terrorism looks not just to kill and maim - but to create panic and such a sense of disorder that it rocks a city or nation to its foundations.Terrorism looks not just to kill and maim - but to create panic and such a sense of disorder that it rocks a city or nation to its foundations.
And this attacker sought to do so in as low-tech way as is possible.And this attacker sought to do so in as low-tech way as is possible.
The days when terrorism meant large, complex bombs and months of planning are gone: Western security agencies - particularly MI5 and its partner agencies - are very, very good at identifying those plots and disrupting them.The days when terrorism meant large, complex bombs and months of planning are gone: Western security agencies - particularly MI5 and its partner agencies - are very, very good at identifying those plots and disrupting them.
The longer it takes to plan such an attack, the more people who are involved, the more chances there will be for security services to learn what is going on.The longer it takes to plan such an attack, the more people who are involved, the more chances there will be for security services to learn what is going on.
Read more from DominicRead more from Dominic
Have you been affected by recent events? If you are willing to do so, share with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by recent events? If you are willing to do so, share with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below