This article is from the source 'guardian' 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 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/jun/03/london-bridge-closed-after-serious-police-incident-live

The article has changed 55 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
London Bridge attack: six killed and three suspects shot dead by police – live updates London Bridge attack: seven killed and three suspects shot dead by police – live updates
(35 minutes later)
9.46am BST
09:46
Officials will be considering whether threat level should be raised - Met chief
Dick said the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) would be considering whether to raise the official threat level to its highest rank - from severe to critical.
The threat level was raised and lowered again in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing.
JTAC will be assessing whether the threat level will go up or not. If it were to go up or if we felt there was a particular need for military support we absolutely would ask for it.
Dick said she was working on assumption that the Met would be sharing intelligence with the US authorities.
My working assumption is we will of course be sharing information appropriately with our American colleagues,” she said. This comes after US officials leaked intimate details of the Manchester Arena investigation to US press.
Addressing resources at the Met, she said:
We have very good resources, we have extraordinarily trained people. We have excellent working relationship with our colleagues in the agencies.
These sorts of things are hard to predict and sometimes sadly as has been proven in the recent weeks are hard to prevent.
In light of Westminster, Manchester, we will look at our resource levels and how we use them.
9.45am BST
09:45
Severin Carrell
Scotland’s political parties have also suspended national campaigning today, with Scottish Labour’s leader Kezia Dugdale cancelling her event in their target seat of East Lothian and Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, cancelling his in their target seat of East Dunbartonshire.
The Scottish National party said “appropriate” local campaigning would continue but events with Nicola Sturgeon would not, although that would be reviewed during the day. “Our thoughts are with those affected by the frightening events in London,” a spokesman said.
Respect for those who lost their lives must be our priority. However it is also important, especially so close to an election, that the terrorists do not succeed in their attempts to undermine our democracy.
Dugdale said:
My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families after the horrific terrorist attacks in London last night.
Once again our nation finds itself under attack from those who hate our way of life and seek to change us. But we will not allow that to happen, because the values that they hate - democracy, the rule of law and tolerance - are what make our country so special. It’s why Britain is a beacon for other nations around the world. We will not let the terrorists win.
In England the Green party has said it will suspend national campaigning until this evening. But local campaigning will continue. Jonathan Bartley, the party’s co-leader, said:
As in Manchester, and in the aftermath of the Westminster attacks, people will come together in the coming days and demonstrate that our way of life is precious and will not be surrendered to those determined to spread fear.
In Wales the Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said:
This is another devastating attack. Plaid Cymru extends its condolences to the people affected and the emergency services that work so hard in these difficult circumstances. People deserve to live their lives without fear, and we must come together to reject hate.
9.36am BST
09:36
People risked their own lives to confront suspects - Met chief
Jamie Grierson
Dick paid tribute to the police, emergency services and members of the public who came to the aid of the injured – and confronted the attackers.
She said:
In the early hours of this morning I visited one of the hospitals in London. There, I heard truly remarkable stories and extraordinarily brave actions by officers on and off duty first on the scene. I heard of colleagues of other emergency services and members of the public who ran towards the danger as the incident unfolded.
Many, many people risked their own safety to help others and treat those seriously injured and indeed to confront suspects involved. The courage of those people during and following the attack was extraordinary and I pay tribute to all of them ... I’m sure they helped to save lives.
Updated
at 9.38am BST
9.33am BST
09:33
We believe incident is under control - Met chief
Jamie Grierson
Dick says the incident is under control but police officers need to conduct thorough search of the area to make sure all are accounted for.
The cordon will remain, she says.
I appreciate this has been a terrifying experience for many people.
Updated
at 9.38am BST
9.31am BST
09:31
Seven members of the public died - Met chief
Jamie Grierson
Cressida Dick, the Met police commissioner, has said seven members of public have died in the attack, at least 48 are injured.
9.31am BST
09:31
David Davis said postponing the election would be wrong
David Davis, the Brexit secretary, has just told BBC News it would be wrong to postpone the general election. That is not what the public would want, he said. And, even if it was desirable, he said he was “not sure that it can be legally done”.
Davis said he did not know whether the attack was intended to disrupt the election. If it was, that was all the more reason not to postpone it, he said.
I think we are locked into [June 8]. I think, actually, the public would want us to be locked in. There is a balance of things here. Clearly we want to respect the people who have been injured and killed, we want to pay proper respect, therefore we don’t want to carry on across it. But on the other hand the people doing this are doing it because they despise the freedoms we have, and those freedoms can be the freedom to go out on a Saturday night, or the freedom to cast a vote.
And it may be - we don’t know, at least I don’t know, I’m not briefed this morning on this - I don’t know whether or not they are deliberately trying to disrupt the general election, or whether this is a coincidence of timing ... in which case, all the more reason not to defer, not to deflect, to as far as possible, within the grounds of propriety, to actually not let this put us off course.
Citing Spain and the Madrid bombing as an example, he said other European countries have gone ahead with elections shortly after a terrorist attack.
Updated
at 9.44am BST
9.18am BST
09:18
Greater Manchester police confirm the One Manchester concert and Michael Carrick testimonial match are to go ahead.
Statement from Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan ahead of today's events. pic.twitter.com/hlAK7MUEOf
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan from Greater Manchester police said:
We’re deeply saddened to hear about last night’s horrific attacks in London and our thoughts are with everyone affected, including the emergency services responding to the incident.
There are two large-scale events taking place in Greater Manchester today and we would like to assure people that these will still take place, but with additional security in place to ensure the safety of everyone.
We have dedicated resources at both events, with a significant number of officers from both GMP and colleagues from other forces, some of which will be armed. There will be additional security checks taking place and everyone will be searched, including bags. We would ask people not to bring bags if they can, as this will help speed up entry.
I’d like to remind people that the threat level remains at severe, which means an attack is highly likely. Please remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious that causes you concern to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or 999 in an emergency.
Updated
at 9.39am BST
9.17am BST
09:17
Alice Ross
Borough High Street is still sealed off a couple of hundred metresfrom the market, with an unsurprisingly heavy police presence on the cordon, watched by a clutch of TV crews, Alice Ross reports.
A single bunch of sunflowers lay on a traffic island.
Antonio Gonzalez, an assistant manager at the St Christopher’s Inn, just inside the cordon, said: “I saw so many police cars going that way so I went to check Borough Market.”
As he reached Starbucks, he saw the police firing. “It was really fast,” he said. “I couldn’t see it that clearly but apparently there were two to three terrorists and they started shooting at them. I came back to the hostel to take everyone out.”
The hostel’s 52 guests, all of whom are safe and well, were evacuated to a sister hostel. Gonzalez, with other hostel staff, was overseeing guests as they returned in small groups to collect their belongings. He was dazed. “I couldn’t sleep at all last night, he said.
Yu An Lee, a hostel guest from Korea, was shivering in shorts and a T-shirt in the early morning as he waited to be allowed in. His mother, in a light T-shirt and sandals, wrapped her arms around him as they waited. They had arrived from Italy and checked in at about 10pm.
“We heard a big sound, like people shouting to each other. We thought someone was fighting or having an argument – it was very loud,” he said. “Five minutes later the staff came to the building and told us to stay in the building because it was very dangerous. The staff said she didn’t know what was going on. There was panic.”
Two or three minutes later the police came to the first floor andordered people to leave as soon as possible. Officers on the streetordered people to run south.
“Me and my mum started to run as fast as we can ... everyone was really terrified,” he said. In the commotion, Lee couldn’t see what was happening behind them. “All we thought about was running away. Lots of people were running together. We tried to stay in a group.”
They didn’t stop until they reached Elephant and Castle, 15-20 minutes away.
“This area was really in a panic,” he said. “As we got further awayfrom the scene people seemed to be normal, just smoking, riding on the bus. It seems some people didn’t know what was going on.” For Lee and his mother, newly arrived in an unfamiliar city, the contrast was stark.
“We were terrified and horrified. All we could think about wasrunning away and trying not to get separated.We really didn’t have any idea what was going on ... nobody explained to us what was going on.”
They were taken to a hostel in Camden, where staff tried to make them comfortable in communal areas. Learning the incident was a suspected terror attack made him “more terrified,” he said. “Last night I thought something was going terribly. But I just read the news this morning and actually there was terror.”
This was “especially horrifying”, he said.
Updated
at 9.29am BST
9.13am BST
09:13
Four french victims injured - French foreign minister
Kim Willsher
Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s foreign minister, has said there are four French victims injured in the London Bridge attack, one of them seriously.
Updated
at 9.16am BST
9.12am BST
09:12
Sam Jones
In a tweet posted in the early hours of Sunday, the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, said he was monitoring the attacks with worry and sadness, adding: “Our solidarity and support to the authorities and to the British people.”
Sigo con preocupación los ataques en Londres, triste información. Nuestra solidaridad y apoyo a las autoridades y al pueblo británico. MR
The country’s foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, tweeted: “My condolences on a tragic night. We stand with the victims and their families.”
Mi pesar por nueva noche trágica #Londonbridge #BoroughMarket #LondresDel lado de las víctimas y sus familiasActivado servicio emergencia https://t.co/GI9iG6UVVr
The Spanish consulate in London tweeted emergency phone numbers for those concerned about friends and relatives in London who may have been caught up in the attack.
Telfnos emergencia adicionales al +447712764151 o 07712764151España+447938633876; +447582314487Reino Unido 07938633876; 07582314487
Updated
at 9.17am BST
9.08am BST9.08am BST
09:0809:08
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said earlier that the general election should not be postponed. “They want to stop us voting on Thursday in the general election … we can’t allow them to do that,” he said. (See 7.22am.) Many politicians are likely to stay the same. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said earlier the general election should not be postponed. “They want to stop us voting on Thursday in the general election … we can’t allow them to do that,” he said. (See 7.22am.)
But, in practice, postponing the general election is not a realistic possibility anyway, because it would be extremely difficult. Many people have already cast postal ballots already. David Boothroyd, a parliamentary expert, reckons the government would have to declare a state of emergency for this to happen. In practice, postponing the general election is not a realistic possibility, because it would be extremely difficult. Many people have already cast postal ballots. David Boothroyd, a parliamentary expert, reckons the government would have to declare a state of emergency for this to happen.
Some comments about postponing the election, but this is procedurally difficult as I don't think there's any legal ability to do soSome comments about postponing the election, but this is procedurally difficult as I don't think there's any legal ability to do so
Rule 42 of the Parliamentary Election Rules allows postponement of the poll in the event of riot - for one day: https://t.co/jytjosZIRpRule 42 of the Parliamentary Election Rules allows postponement of the poll in the event of riot - for one day: https://t.co/jytjosZIRp
So the only way to intervene in election timing would be to declare a state of emergency under the Civil Contingencies ActSo the only way to intervene in election timing would be to declare a state of emergency under the Civil Contingencies Act
There is provision in the Representation of the People Act for a general election to be delayed for a fortnight - but that only applies in the event of the monarch dying between the dissolution of parliament and polling day. There is provision in the Representation of the People Act for a general election to be delayed for a fortnight – but that only applies in the event of the monarch dying between the dissolution of parliament and polling day.
In 2001 Tony Blair did “delay” the general election for a month because of the foot and mouth outbreak. It was expected in May, but took place in June. But Blair had never actually announced that the general election would be in May - it was just widely assumed that it would coincide with the local elections, which were formally delayed - and so the comparison is not really relevant. In 2001, Tony Blair did “delay” the general election for a month because of the foot and mouth outbreak. It was expected in May, but took place in June. But Blair had never actually announced that the general election would be in May – it was just widely assumed it would coincide with the local elections, which were formally delayed – and so the comparison is not really relevant.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.08am BST at 9.18am BST
8.57am BST8.57am BST
08:5708:57
A man from New Zealand has been put in an induced coma after being seriously injured in the attacks, New Zealand media report.A man from New Zealand has been put in an induced coma after being seriously injured in the attacks, New Zealand media report.
Oliver Dowling, from Christchurch, was among those injured in the Borough Market stabbing, according to his family. Oliver Dowling, from Christchurch, was among those injured in the Borough Market stabbing, according to his family. His sister, Freddy, says he’s in an induced coma after being stabbed in the face, neck and stomach. The injuries missed his vital organs, she says.
His sister, Freddy, says he’s in an induced coma after being stabbed in the face, neck and stomach. The injuries missed his vital organs, she says.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.07am BST at 9.30am BST
8.54am BST
08:54
Note from editor of @thesundaytimes, sent to subscribers of newsletter this morning. pic.twitter.com/sjbfz69JXo
8.52am BST
08:52
Attackers shouted "this is for Allah" - eyewitnesses
Robert Booth
The BBC has spoken to eyewitnesses who heard one of the attackers shout “this is for Allah” before stabbing a woman several times.
Alex was in the Mudlark pub, close to Southwark Cathedral.
A woman probably in her early twenties staggered into the pub and she was bleeding heavily from the neck and from her mouth. It appeared to myself and to my friends that her throat had been cut. People went to her aid. The pub was then closed. We saw police on the roads nearby. As we were told to leave the area by armed police, as we were running away from there, I could see to my left there was a further individual having CPR performed on them by the emergency services.
Another witness, Eric, said:
Three men jumped out of the van and that’s when they started attacking people on the road. As they headed down the stairs, as they were running towards the people they were shouting this is for Allah.
Mark told the BBC he was taking photographs on London Bridge when he saw the van hitting pedestrians on the bridge.
It was swerving from side to side and I could see it hitting people and there was a group about 20 or 30 yards in front of me. The van hit those people. At that moment I was doing that calculation of trying to work out which direction should I run.
Ben was outside Borough tube station.
I saw a man in red with quite a large blade. I am guessing 10 inches. He was stabbing a man, maybe three times, fairly calmly. It looked like the man maybe had been trying to intervene but there wasn’t much he could do. He was stabbed quite coldly and slumped to the ground.
Gerard was in the Borough Market area as the three attackers ran through attacking people in with knives in two pubs and a restaurant. He said he was threatened, but fought them.
I threw something at them, maybe like a stool, a chair, and as I threw it at them it him one of them, maybe two of them on the head here, on the back. Then they ran towards me to try and stab me so I ran away because I knew if I would have slipped over I would be a dead man, I’d be dead, I’d have been killed there and then.
Updated
at 8.53am BST
8.47am BST
08:47
Corbyn - Labour party national campaigning suspended
Jamie Grierson
The leader of the Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, has confirmed national campaigning has been suspended. He said:
We are all shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks in London. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and the many who have been injured. Today, we will all grieve for their loss.
I would like to thank the police and emergency services for their bravery and professionalism in acting to save lives and deal with these appalling acts of terrorism, as well as NHS staff and members of the public who sought to protect others.
The Labour party will be suspending national campaigning until this evening, after consultations with other parties, as a mark of respect for those who have died and suffered injury.
Those who wish to harm our people, divide our communities and attack our democracy will not succeed. We will stand together to defend our common values of solidarity, humanity and justice, and will not allow terrorists to derail our democratic process.
8.45am BST
08:45
Jamie Grierson
Hi, Jamie Grierson here, taking over live coverage of the horrific terror attacks in London last night at London Bridge and Borough Market.
8.40am BST
08:40
What we know so far
Claire Phipps
The attacks
Six people have been killed in a terrorist attack in London late on Saturday night.
Attackers drove a van across London Bridge, deliberately targeting pedestrians, before leaving the vehicle and stabbing passersby in Borough Market.
The three suspects – all male – were shot dead by armed police, who arrived on the scene eight minutes after the first emergency call was made.
Canisters seen around the body of at least one of the suspects have been “established to be hoaxes”, police said.
At least 48 people have been taken to five hospitals across the capital to be treated for their injuries. Some are in a serious condition. Other walking wounded were treated at the scene or at a rescue centre set up in a hotel at Liverpool Street.
An officer from the British Transport police was among those seriously injured. He was one of the first officers on the scene and suffered wounds to his face, head and leg.
At least two French citizens and one Australian citizen are also among the wounded.
The names of those killed – and the perpetrators – are not yet known.
No related arrests have been reported, and police say they believe the three men shot dead were the people directly responsible for the attack. The investigation into a possible wider network continues.
A crashed van abandoned at the scene on Borough high street appeared to be a B&Q/Hertz hire van.
A stabbing in Vauxhall on Saturday night was not connected to the terror attacks, police confirmed.
The reaction
The prime minister, Theresa May, is chairing a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee this morning. London mayor Sadiq Khan will attend.
Campaigning for Thursday’s general election has been suspended, with the Conservatives and the SNP saying they would not campaign today, and other major parties expected to follow suit.
World leaders have expressed condolences, with German chancellor Angela Merkel expressing her “sadness and dismay” and French president Emmanuel Macron saying France was “more than ever” at the side of the UK.
But US president Donald Trump faced criticism after using the London attacks to argue for his travel ban.
A concert in Manchester on Sunday evening in support of those killed and injured in the attack on that city less than a fortnight ago, will go ahead, organisers say. Ariana Grande, whose concert at Manchester Arena was targeted and who will perform this evening, tweeted her support for those affected by the London attack:
Praying for London ♡
Updated
at 8.48am BST
8.29am BST
08:29
The Scottish National party will also suspend campaigning for the general election today.
Party leader and Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would chair a meeting of the devolved government’s resilience committee to discuss the attack.
Sturgeon said:
Following the horrific terrorist attack in the centre of London last night, we are working closely with the UK government and Police Scotland to monitor the situation …
My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives and with everyone who has been harmed or affected by these terrible incidents.
8.25am BST
08:25
The meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee is beginning shortly; ministers are arriving at Downing Street. London mayor Sadiq Khan will also attend.
8.23am BST
08:23
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has expressed her “sadness and dismay” at news of the attack:
Today, we are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination.
In the fight against every form of terrorism, we stand firmly and with determination at Britain’s side.
8.18am BST
08:18
At least 48 injured people were taken to hospitals across the capital after the attack.
Fourteen of them – six women and eight men – were taken to King’s College hospital, in Denmark Hill, south London. A spokesman for the hospital said this morning:
The emergency department at King’s College hospital received 14 casualties (six females and eight males) following the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market in central London.
One patient has been discharged.
8.14am BST
08:14
Robert Booth
The BBC has spoken to several eyewitnesses who have given accounts of several stages of the attack. Mark told the BBC he was taking photographs on London Bridge when he saw the van hitting pedestrians on the bridge:
It was swerving from side to side and I could see it hitting people and there was a group about 20 or 30 yards in front of me. The van hit those people. At that moment I was doing that calculation of trying to work out which direction should I run.
Ben was outside Borough tube station:
I saw a man in red with quite a large blade. I am guessing 10 inches. He was stabbing a man, maybe three times, fairly calmly. It looked like the man maybe had been trying to intervene but there wasn’t much he could do. He was stabbed quite coldly and slumped to the ground.
Gerard was in the Borough Market area as the three attackers ran through attacking people in with knives in two pubs and a restaurant. He said he was threatened, but fought back:
I threw something at them, maybe like a stool, a chair, and as I threw it at them it him one of them, maybe two of them on the head here, on the back. Then they ran towards me to try and stab me so I ran away because I knew if I would have slipped over I would be a dead man, I’d be dead, I’d have been killed there and then.
Alex was in the Mudlark pub, close to Southwark Cathedral:
A woman probably in her early 20s staggered into the pub and she was bleeding heavily from the neck and from her mouth. It appeared to myself and to my friends that her throat had been cut. People went to her aid.
The pub was then closed. We saw police on the roads nearby. As we were told to leave the area by armed police, as we were running away from there, I could see to my left there was a further individual having CPR performed on them by the emergency services.