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London Bridge attack: seven killed and three suspects shot dead by police – live updates London Bridge attack: Theresa May warns terror breeds terror after seven killed - live updates
(35 minutes later)
10.53am BST
10:53
Rudd says threat level is not being raised from severe to critical
Amber Rudd, the home secretary, is on ITV’s Peston on Sunday now.
She says the joint terrorism analysis centre (JTAC) has not recommended raising the threat level.
It was raised after the Manchester Arena attack because there was a fear that the bomber could have been working with others who might be planning further attacks. But JTAC does not see the need to raise is not. It is still at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. After Manchester it briefly went up to critical, meaning an attack was seen as imminent.
Rudd says threat level is not being raised from severe to critical.
10.46am BST
10:46
Police operation under way in Barking - reports
Sky News are showing live footage of a police operation underway at a block of flats in Barking. The Guardian is yet to verify whether it is connected to the attacks in London Bridge and Borough market but the Sky News correspondent says it is.
Updated
at 10.50am BST
10.42am BST
10:42
May says national campaigning will resume in full on Monday. The election will go ahead as planned on Thursday.
We will come together and, united, we will take on our enemies, she says. And that’s it. We’ll post a full summary shortly.
Updated
at 10.48am BST
10.41am BST
10:41
May proposes to review counter-terrorism laws, and suggests longer sentences for some offences
May says this is the third terror attack Britain has experienced in three months, after the Westminster and the Manchester Arena attacks.
The police have disrupted five credible attacks since the Westminster attack, May says.
The prime minister says we are seeing a new style of attack. People are copying each other.
Things need to change in four important ways, she says:
First, the attackers are bound together by Islamist extremism. It is an ideology that claims our values are incompatible with Islam. Defeating this is one of the great challenges of our time.
It will not be defeated by the maintenance of a counter-terrorism operation. It will only be turned around by persuading people are values are better.
Second, we cannot give the terrorists safe space. But that is what the internet provides.
May proposes to redouble international efforts to control extremism on the internet.
Third, there must be action at home.
May says there is “far too much tolerance of extremism in our country”.
This will require some embarrassing and difficult conversations, she says.
Fourth, we need to review the counter-terrorism strategy, to ensure the police have the powers they need.
May proposes to review counter-terrorism laws, and suggests longer sentences for some offences.
Updated
at 10.45am BST
10.36am BST
10:36
May says the UK fell victim again to a brutal terrorist attack.
Just before 10.10pm last night the police received reports a van had hit pedestrians on London Bridge. It then went to Borough Market, where three men got out and attacked people with knives. They all appeared to be wearing explosive vests.
Police arrived within moments and shot and killed the terrorists. The police shot them within eight minutes of the first call being received. Seven people were killed and 48 people are in hospital, many with serious injuries.
Updated
at 10.38am BST
10.34am BST
10:34
Theresa May's statement
Theresa May is making her statement outside Number 10 now.
Earlier, she chaired a meeting of Cobra, the government’s emergency committee.
Updated
at 10.36am BST
10.33am BST
10:33
Caroline Bannock
Arvin Vaziri, 27, a student from Sweden was in A&E at University College Hospital on Saturday night when he heard about the terrorist attack.
A few minutes later the first victims began to arrive.
We were in one of the cubicles in A&E being seen by a nurse as my wife, Maria Sand had severe stomach pains. At about 1045pm we heard an intercom message on all the speakers saying that there had been a major incident and all available staff had to come and have a meeting. We heard that all the patients who weren’t critical had to be sent home. A nurse came into our cubicle and assured us we weren’t taking up anyone’s space as we needed to be there and could stay. He [the nurse] said that there had been a possible incident and people with gun wounds and stab wounds were on their way to the hospital.
We began to hear the ambulance sirens and then people came in on trolleys - there were a few of them, we were told one was a gunshot victim and the others were stabbings. Doctors and nurses continued to check up on my wife and then we were moved from our cubicle as they needed all of them - I think there are about 16 cubicles. It was very professional but very hectic.
We talked to one nurse who had finished her shift at 10pm and had arrived home as she lived close-by, however she heard the news and decided to come back in to help her colleagues. Another doctor was off-shift but had biked six miles to get back to the hospital. The staff have been amazing, managing to juggle care of the victims and the patients that already had been admitted.
10.29am BST
10:29
Thornberry says election should go ahead on Thursday and people should 'come out defiantly and vote'
Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, told ITV’s Peston that the election must go ahead on Thursday.
We need to be out there and we need to have the election and it needs to be on Thursday and we need to make sure that people come out defiantly and vote. Because in doing so they are underlining our fundamental values and showing how different we are [to the terrorists].
And earlier she told the BBC.
What they are trying to do is separate the very essence of London. We are an example to the world of a multi-racial, multi-national city. We can show the world how it can be. And they just want to undermine it. And we will not let them. We have to make sure that we continue to stick together defiantly and make sure that we work together, again as a community.
10.28am BST
10:28
Haroon Siddique
Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust dealt with nine patients, five of whom have since been discharged.
A spokeswoman for the trust said:
Following the terror incidents in London Bridge and Borough Market last night, we have treated nine patients at St Thomas’s - six men and three women. Five of the patients have since been discharged and four patients – two men and two women – have been admitted.
Updated
at 10.33am BST
10.26am BST
10:26
This police officer has posted a poignant message on Twitter:
Stared shift taking photos with children playing on the Southbank. Ended it giving CPR to innocent victims attacked at London Bridge. 💔
10.24am BST
10:24
Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, has said that the general election must go ahead and that Lib Dem national campaigning will only be suspended for a short time. In a statement, he said:
The terrorists kill us because they hate us and what we stand for. They hate our democracy and our freedom. We refuse to let them win. We must respond with a vigorous commitment to our democracy.
The election must go ahead as planned. It is right that we suspend our national campaigning for a short while out of respect for those affected by these tragic events, but local campaigning can and must continue.
The remainder of this campaign must be a collective showing of defiance and pride in our democratic values.
Updated
at 10.26am BST
10.17am BST10.17am BST
10:1710:17
Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
The Ulster Unionist party has announced it is suspending campaigning in Northern Ireland in the general election campaign today as a mark of respect for the dead and injured of the London Bridge/Borough Market attack. The Ulster Unionist party has announced it is suspending campaigning in Northern Ireland in the general election campaign on Sunday as a mark of respect for the dead and injured of the London Bridge/Borough Market attack.
Democratic Unionist leader and former first minister of Northern Ireland Arlene Foster tweeted this morning: The Democratic Unionist leader and former first minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, tweeted this morning:
Thinking of all affected by these horrific incidents in London. Thoughts & prayers also with emergency services at the scene #LondonBridge https://t.co/fJzYnjTQxrThinking of all affected by these horrific incidents in London. Thoughts & prayers also with emergency services at the scene #LondonBridge https://t.co/fJzYnjTQxr
Meanwhile Ireland’s Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said the UK had been “subjected to cowardly and barbaric attacks.” Meanwhile, Ireland’s foreign minister, Charlie Flanagan, said the UK had been “subjected to cowardly and barbaric attacks”. Flanagan said the people of Ireland stand with the UK in this time.
Flanagan said the people of Ireland stand with the UK in this time. Updated
at 10.22am BST
10.15am BST10.15am BST
10:1510:15
Here is some more international reaction to the London Bridge attack.Here is some more international reaction to the London Bridge attack.
From the Russian president Vladimir PutinFrom the Russian president Vladimir Putin
Putin: cruelty and cynicism of London attack are appalling. Condemns terrorism, expresses condolences to British people. pic.twitter.com/dPBsa9cmgDPutin: cruelty and cynicism of London attack are appalling. Condemns terrorism, expresses condolences to British people. pic.twitter.com/dPBsa9cmgD
From the Indian prime minister Narendra ModiFrom the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi
Attacks in London are shocking & anguishing. We condemn them. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.Attacks in London are shocking & anguishing. We condemn them. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.
From the Danish prime minister Lars Løkke RasmussenFrom the Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen
Appalled by events in #London. My thoughts are with the victims and the British people, who will persevereAppalled by events in #London. My thoughts are with the victims and the British people, who will persevere
From Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French foreign ministerFrom Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French foreign minister
Solidarité totale avec Londres et les britanniques. Les agents de l'ambassade et à Paris sont mobilisés pour nos compatriotes sur place 🇫🇷🇬🇧Solidarité totale avec Londres et les britanniques. Les agents de l'ambassade et à Paris sont mobilisés pour nos compatriotes sur place 🇫🇷🇬🇧
French Foreign Minister @JY_LeDrian expresses "full solidarity with our British ally" after terrorist attack in London #LondonBridgeFrench Foreign Minister @JY_LeDrian expresses "full solidarity with our British ally" after terrorist attack in London #LondonBridge
From Federica Mogherini, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairsFrom Federica Mogherini, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs
With #London, the open lively bright city we all love https://t.co/Qcq2z4UqHHWith #London, the open lively bright city we all love https://t.co/Qcq2z4UqHH
From Antonio Tajini, the European parliament presidentFrom Antonio Tajini, the European parliament president
We mourn in solidarity with the victims and the families of heinous #LondonBridge attack.These acts must be stopped! #UnitedAgainstTerrorismWe mourn in solidarity with the victims and the families of heinous #LondonBridge attack.These acts must be stopped! #UnitedAgainstTerrorism
From Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negotiatorFrom Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negotiator
All my thoughts are with victims and their families after #LondonAttacks. We all stand together with the U.K. in solidarity.All my thoughts are with victims and their families after #LondonAttacks. We all stand together with the U.K. in solidarity.
10.15am BST
10:15
London attacks shock with "cruelty and cynicism" - Putin.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on Sunday condemned the “cruelty and cynicism” of the London attack and called for greater joint efforts in the fight against terror, the Kremlin said.
“Putin expresses his profound condolences for the British people and condemns the terrorist attack carried out hours ago in London,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.
“This crime shocks with its cruelty and cynicism,” the Russian leader was quoted as saying later in a telegram to the British prime minister, Theresa May.
“The Russian president expressed his certainty that the common response to what has happened should be an increase in combined efforts in the fight against the forces of terror around the world,” the Kremlin said.
The Russian embassy also confirmed no Russian citizens were among the victims of the attack.
As of 10 AM @metpoliceuk confirmed no Russian citizens among victims of #LondonAttack #LondonBridge pic.twitter.com/klccJQux85
Updated
at 10.17am BST
10.08am BST
10:08
Alice Ross
Kieran Lovelace was on his way home from work in Liverpool Street and crossed London Bridge moments after the attack.
I was strolling home, Snapchatting away. As I’m walking across the bridge I saw (what) I thought was a car accident because I saw a lady talking to the police. I saw an injured couple probably in their mid-30s.
Near the edge of the bridge was another injured woman.
There was a load of people crowding around her. Everyone was civilians like myself trying to help out. I probably arrived there a minute after it happened. As I was going down the bridge I saw probably six or seven people from one end of the bridge to the other, injured, passed out, covered in blood.
“It was surreal, he said, his eyes welling with tears. Police, armed units and a helicopter arrived rapidly.
I saw the armed forces come in. It happened so quickly, I have to give props to the forces because they got there so quickly.
The response teams included “units I’ve never seen before”, he said.
I wasn’t aware of the incident in Borough Market, I was only aware of the bridge. People poured out of London Bridge station as it was evacuated and everyone was directed towards Tower Bridge.
Nobody knew what was happening: I had to ask people. I just saw all this carnage.
He was on the scene for about 15 minutes, he estimated. He described reaching the south end of London Bridge.
There’s a statue and there was a lady there with three kids. They were all hiding, she was blocking them. Just to see the terror on their face was a horrible thing to see.
#LondonBridge boy dem response on point. pic.twitter.com/DSv2JWWP8e
Updated
at 10.11am BST
10.05am BST
10:05
Corbyn says attack must not disrupt democratic process
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has just told Sky News that the London Bridge attack was “dreadful” and praised the “brilliant” work of the emergency services.
He confirmed Labour was suspending national campaigning for a time, but he said the party would not let this disrupt its campaign for long.
We won’t be campaigning nationally during today, but we will resume later on because I think it’s important to give a message that democracy must prevail. If we allow these attacks to disrupt our democratic process, then we all lose.
Asked what impact the Manchester and London Bridge attacks would have on the election generally, he said he could not recall any precedent for this in an election.
I hope it will not disrupt our process, because we have to have a democratic process. But I also hope we will reflect on the need to have sufficient police officers on our streets, but also sufficient intelligence to look at the terrorist threat.
But in response, as in Manchester, all communities must come together. Our strength is the strength of our community unity. That was shown in Manchester straight after the horrible event there and I’m sure it will be the same in London.
Asked if the event would be a positive or negative for Labour, in the light of the fact the polls have shown the Tory lead narrowing, Corbyn said he would not comment. At the moment we should mourn those who died and thank those who helped out, he said.
Updated
at 10.08am BST
10.03am BST
10:03
A statement from the prime minister in Downing Street is imminent.
I have just led a meeting of COBR in response to the appalling London attack and I will soon be making a statement in Downing Street.
Updated
at 10.07am BST
10.01am BST
10:01
Hannah Ellis-Petersen
Simina Motalib lives in Borough Market and was making her way home last night when she was caught up in the panic, as people ran screaming through the street, reports Hannah Ellis-Petersen.
She described the scene of carnage outside her door this morning, with the pavement covered in blood and abandoned clothes and shoes.
I live literally next to Borough Market. I was coming out of the tube station going home and I just suddenly heard people shouting ‘run, run’ and then there was this loud scream, it was a young woman, I think. So I just ran. My hands were shaking but I just ran through Borough Market and managed to get inside my house. As I went in I could see people running everywhere, they were crying, there were shoes on the floor. I could see an elderly couple trying to run but they couldn’t keep up with everyone. Neighbours were opening their doors trying to usher people in their houses. It was such a horrible thing to see all that panic. We didn’t know what was going on. I’ve lived here for 28 years and you don’t expect that to happen on your doorstep.
The first thing I saw when I opened the door this morning was blood literally everywhere. There were shoes, and clothes scattered and just so much blood on the pavements and on the road.
As a British-born Muslim, it’s awful to me to hear them using Islam when they carry out these barbaric acts, particularly in the month of Ramadam. Islam is a religion of peace, so this is so wrong.
Updated
at 10.16am BST
9.58am BST
09:58
My colleague Alice Ross is in the London Bridge/Borough area.
I've counted 16 police vans and an ambulance on the cordon at Borough High St #LondonBridgeAttack pic.twitter.com/54Gp05WAzj
Sainsbury's staff are bringing sandwiches and snacks to the police #LondonBridge pic.twitter.com/hHlNFtOlBy
Updated
at 10.02am BST
9.55am BST
09:55
Paul Nuttall, the Ukip leader, has refused to suspend Ukip campaigning because he believes that is what terrorists would want. In a statement, he said:
With more people murdered on the streets of our capital city last night by Islamist terrorists, it is more important than ever for us to confront this evil with the democratic principles that have made this country what it is.
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives last night. The courage and quick response of our emergency services have yet again saved countless lives and in the midst of such a tragedy, deserve our respect and admiration.
It is time to start honouring our dead with more than just words. The only guarantee that will come from our choosing to stall the democratic process again will be more attacks; it is what these cowards want us to do.
For those of us seeking to serve the people of this country, it is our duty to drive the dialogue on how best to confront and defeat this brand of terrorism. That is what Ukip will be doing today and beyond. Therefore, I refuse to suspend campaigning because this is precisely what the extremists would want us to do.
Updated
at 10.05am BST
9.47am BST
09:47
Jamie Grierson
Asked if she knew the “identity of the suspects”, Dick replied: “I don’t.”
Updated
at 9.48am BST
9.46am BST
09:46
Officials will be considering whether threat level should be raised - Met chief
Jamie Grierson
Dick said the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) would be considering whether to raise the official threat level to its highest – 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.
Updated
at 10.18am BST
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.