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London Bridge attack: Theresa May warns terror breeds terror after seven killed - live updates London Bridge attack: Theresa May warns terror breeds terror after seven killed - live updates
(35 minutes later)
12.00pm BST
12:00
Alan Travis
My colleague, Alan Travis, has analysed Theresa May’s four-point plan for tackling extremism in the wake of this latest attack.
Theresa May’s “time to say enough is enough” call to tackle the ideology of Islamist extremism in Britain head-on in the immediate aftermath of the London Bridge attack marks a much tougher response.
Outside 10 Downing Street, 12 hours after the London Bridge attacks, she declared that “there is far too much tolerance of extremism in our country” and said we must “deny any safe spaces for the extremists” and assert “the superiority” of British values.
The prime minister made no mention of Islamist extremism in her Downing Street statement in the immediate aftermath of the Manchester attack, not even to stress, as prime minsters before had done, that radical Islamist ideology is a perversion of the faith of Islam.
This time May has taken a much tougher response both in her language and in the expected policy response, even if the Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, has yet to publicly comment on the identity of the three attackers.
Updated
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11.56am BST
11:56
Theresa May's statement - Summary and analysis
After the 7/7 terror attacks in 2005, Tony Blair announced a 12-point plan for tackling terrorism. It attempted to show the government was serious about toughening anti-terror laws, but Blair was later accused of over-reaction when it became clear that some of his proposals were impossible, or impractical, to implement.
Until now Theresa May has adopted a different approach. After the Westminster and Manchester Arena attacks there were no calls for new anti-terror laws. In fact, after Manchester, Amber Rudd, the home secretary, specifically said that the police and the intelligence services were not asking for news powers.
Now May has changed tack. “Things can continue as they are,” she said in a speech that proposed a new legislative blitz against terror.
Here are the key points.
May said terror laws needed to be overhauled because Britain faced new types of terror attack.
In terms of their planning and execution, the recent attacks are not connected but we believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face.
As terrorism breeds terrorism and perpetrators are inspired to attack, not only on the basis of carefully constructed plots after years of planning and training, and not even as lone attackers radicalised online, but by copying one another and often using the crudest of means of attack.
We cannot and must not pretend that things can continue as they are. Things need to change and they need to change in four important ways.
May said the government needed to redouble efforts to stop people being being radicalised.
First, while the recent attacks are not connected by common networks, they are connected in one important sense. They are bound together by the single evil ideology of Islamist extremism that preaches hatred, sows division and promotes sectarianism.
It is an ideology that claims our Western values of freedom, democracy and human rights are incompatible with the religion of Islam. It is an ideology that is a perversion of Islam and a perversion of the truth.
Defeating this ideology is one of the great challenges of our time, but it cannot be defeated by military intervention alone.
It will not be defeated by the maintenance of a permanent defensive counter-terrorism operation, however skillful its leaders and practitioners.
It will only be defeated when we turn people’s minds away from this violence and make them understand that our values - pluralistic British values - are superior to anything offered by the preachers and supporters of hate.
May may have been referring to government plans to reboot the Prevent programme later this year.
She said she was committed to working with other governments to get internet companies to do more to tackle extremism online. She said:
Second, we cannot allow this ideology the safe space it needs to breed.
Yet that is precisely what the internet, and the big companies that provide internet-based services provide.
We need to work with allied democratic governments to reach international agreements that regulate cyberspace to prevent the spread of extremist and terrorism planning.
And we need to do everything we can at home to reduce the risks of extremism online.
This is a reference to an initiative that May was pushing at the G7 summit last month. But at the G7 summit May was focusing on getting internet companies to remove extremism content. In her interview with Peston on Sunday just now Amber Rudd, the home secretary, signalled that the government would revive its attempt to get internet firms to allow the security services access to encrypted messages. (See 10.57am.) Rudd floated this idea after the Westminster attack, although campaigners and internet companies said her demands were unrealistic and disproportionate.
May said there was “far too much tolerance of extremism in our country” and that she wanted to stamp it out.
Third, while we need to deprive the extremists of their safe spaces online, we must not forget about the safe spaces that continue to exist in the real world.
Yes, that means taking military action to destroy Isis in Iraq and Syria. But it also means taking action here at home.
While we have made significant progress in recent years, there is - to be frank - far too much tolerance of extremism in our country.
So we need to become far more robust in identifying it and stamping it out across the public sector and across society.
That will require some difficult, and often embarrassing, conversations.
But the whole of our country needs to come together to take on this extremism, and we need to live our lives not in a series of separated, segregated communities, but as one truly United Kingdom.
This suggests that May is determined to revive plans for a counter-extremism bill. After the 2015 general election David Cameron’s government proposed a counter-extremism bill in two successive Queen’s speeches but the law never materialised, reportedly because government lawyers could not come up with a definition of “non-violent extremism”, which the bill was supposed to target.
The Conservative manifesto includes plans to address extremism. It says:
To defeat extremism, we need to learn from how civil society and the state took on racism in the twentieth century. We will consider what new criminal offences might need to be created, and what new aggravated offences might need to be established, to defeat the extremists. We will support the public sector and civil society in identifying extremists, countering their messages and promoting pluralistic, British values. And we will establish a Commission for Countering Extremism to identify examples of extremism and expose them, to support the public sector and civil society, and help the government to identify policies to defeat extremism and promote pluralistic values.
But the Tories have not said what these new criminal offences might be, or what “exposing” extremism might mean. May’s language this morning is much blunter and more aggressive.
She proposed a review of counter-terror laws and floated the prospect of toughening sentences, including for “apparently less serious” terror offences. She said:
Fourth, we have a robust counter-terrorism strategy, that has proved successful over many years.
But as the nature of the threat we face becomes more complex, more fragmented, more hidden, especially online, the strategy needs to keep up.
So in light of what we are learning about the changing threat, we need to review Britain’s counter-terrorism strategy to make sure the police and security services have all the powers they need.
And if we need to increase the length of custodial sentences for terrorist-related offences - even apparently less serious offences - that is what we will do.
This goes beyond what the Conservatives proposed in their manifesto.
She said that since the Westminster attack in March “the security and intelligence agencies and police have disrupted five credible plots”.
Updated
at 12.04pm BST
11.49am BST
11:49
Jamie Grierson
A woman from Brisbane is among two Australians injured in the attack, according to the Brisbane Courier Mail. Candice Hedge, 31, was dining in London on Saturday night with her boyfriend when she was stabbed in the neck. She had finished working as waitress at Elliot’s restaurant in London Bridge about 10.30pm and was sitting at the bar having a drink when a man came up behind her and slashed her throat with a knife.
It’s understood she had her back to the man and he came up behind her, grabbed her head and slashed her throat. She was briefly in a coma but is now awake and speaking with friends.
Updated
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11.47am BST
11:47
Peter Walker
My colleague, Peter Walker, has filed this take on the response to the attack by the prime minister, Theresa May.
Theresa May has warned there has been “far too much tolerance of extremism” in the UK and promised to step up the fight against Islamist terrorism in the wake of the London Bridge attack, saying “enough is enough”.
The prime minister struck a sombre and serious tone as she spoke outside No 10 on Sunday morning after chairing a meeting of the Cobra committee following the attack in the centre of the capital that left seven dead.
She said internet companies must not allow extremism a place to exist, but that there was also a need to tackle “safe spaces in real world”, which would require “difficult” conversations.
May also suggested the idea of increased prison terms for terrorism offences, even relatively minor ones.
Updated
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11.42am BST
11:42
Sarah Marsh
Felipe Vaiano, a waiter at Roast restaurant in the former floral hall at Borough Market. He told the Guardian:
As we were cleaning stuff two people came into the restaurant crying and panicking, at first we didn’t know what was going on or what to do. Then they tried to talk but they were in such complete panic, they couldn’t really get words out. All they said was there were stabbings downstairs. So we quickly shut all the doors and stayed inside for about an hour.
We finally left when the police came up to the restaurant and said “you need to leave, follow us.” We ran out into the street and it was full of paramedics everywhere. We were then taken to safety through an escape route in the London underground. I think we were taken to Southwark. We ran and I had nothing with me. When we got out I was near the nightclub Pulse and it was there that I was given an Oyster card by the security guard to get me home.
When we were trapped in the restaurant, the chef in charge was amazing, he was a voice of calm. He is responsible for the restaurant and panic is contagious so he did a great job of keeping everything under control. He told us to turn everything off, the stoves and ovens etc, which is important as it could be a fire hazard. I finished cleaning up and closing down as we normally do. I was cleaning my section, storing food, putting labels – I carried on as normal. Obviously it wasn’t a normal situation but I just tried to focus on my job. The customers were in the saloon trying to find out as much news as possible. There was an atmosphere of calm. I was scared when had to run but now sad because of all the people who had been injured and got killed. I am lucky to be alive.
Updated
at 11.58am BST
11.38am BST
11:38
Intelligence agencies and police against raising threat level
Ewen MacAskill
The intelligence agencies and police recommended at this morning’s Cobra meeting against raising the threat level from severe to critical, which suggests they believe that there is no one else at large, Guardian security correspondent Ewen MacAskill reports.
After the Manchester bomb attack, the threat level was raised to critical, which suggests another attack is imminent because the police and security agencies could not be sure at the time that the bomber Salman Abedi had acted alone. But soon after the threat level was dropped back to severe.
The working assumption is that the London Bridge attack was only the three killed by police were involved.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, based at MI5 headquarters in London, is made up of representatives of three intelligence agencies – MI5, which deals with domestic intelligence, MI6, which deals with overseas intelligence, and the surveillance agency GCHQ – as well as the police counter-terrorism team and various Whitehall departments.
There are five threat levels; low, moderate, substantial, severe – meaning an an attack is highly likely – and critical, which means an attack is expected imminently. The threat level was raised to severe in August 2014 in reaction to concerns over Iraq and Syria
Updated
at 11.44am BST
11.30am BST11.30am BST
11:3011:30
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
London’s fire chief said firefighters rushed to shut down gas supplies at premises near the attacks. London’s fire chief said firefighters rushed to shut down gas supplies at premises near the attacks. The London fire commissioner, Dany Cotton, who was at London Fire Brigade headquarters shortly after the incident, said:
London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton, who was at London Fire Brigade headquarters shortly after the incident, said:
Our thoughts today are with all of those affected by this horrific terrorist attack in Southwark. Once again I am proud of all of the London Fire Brigade staff involved in the emergency service response.Our thoughts today are with all of those affected by this horrific terrorist attack in Southwark. Once again I am proud of all of the London Fire Brigade staff involved in the emergency service response.
London Fire Brigade officers were deployed to assist police and other emergency service colleagues at London Bridge and Borough Market. Specially trained officers were on site to treat casualties and carried out specific tasks, including shutting down the gas supply in a number of premises to ensure the area was safe.London Fire Brigade officers were deployed to assist police and other emergency service colleagues at London Bridge and Borough Market. Specially trained officers were on site to treat casualties and carried out specific tasks, including shutting down the gas supply in a number of premises to ensure the area was safe.
We train alongside our emergency service partners to be ready for this kind of emergency and will continue to remain alert and prepared to respond.We train alongside our emergency service partners to be ready for this kind of emergency and will continue to remain alert and prepared to respond.
At the height of the incident, and in addition to the specially trained officers attending, six fire engines, a command unit and 30 firefighters were positioned at the scene to assist.At the height of the incident, and in addition to the specially trained officers attending, six fire engines, a command unit and 30 firefighters were positioned at the scene to assist.
Updated
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11.26am BST11.26am BST
11:2611:26
My colleague Haroon Siddique reports that police officers have stationed themselves outside St Thomas’ hospital.My colleague Haroon Siddique reports that police officers have stationed themselves outside St Thomas’ hospital.
Two police officers have just taken up positions outside the main entrance of St Thomas' hospital pic.twitter.com/dsabP1JE4MTwo police officers have just taken up positions outside the main entrance of St Thomas' hospital pic.twitter.com/dsabP1JE4M
11.23am BST11.23am BST
11:2311:23
Nadia KhomamiNadia Khomami
Eyewitness reports of the bravery of Londoners continue to be shared across media. Witness reports of the bravery of Londoners continue to be shared across media.
As the attacks unfolded, ordinary people out to enjoy Saturday night or those who were working in the area tried to help victims and fend off the perpetrators. One of them was a taxi driver, who told LBC:As the attacks unfolded, ordinary people out to enjoy Saturday night or those who were working in the area tried to help victims and fend off the perpetrators. One of them was a taxi driver, who told LBC:
I saw the people running away, saw the van went through one of the traffic lights system. If you know London Bridge itself there’s an area called Nancy steps, famous for Oliver, he’d knocked over loads of people down there. Three guys jumped out, of the same description as the guy that took out the Manchester people, similar in looks to him, and they took out these long blades, I’d say about 12 inches+ long, and just went randomly running along Borough high street stabbing people. A young girl got stabbed in the chest, laying there, it’s so sad. I saw the people running away, saw the van went through one of the traffic lights system. If you know London Bridge itself there’s an area called Nancy steps, famous for Oliver, he’d knocked over loads of people down there. Three guys jumped out, of the same description as the guy that took out the Manchester people, similar in looks to him, and they took out these long blades, I’d say about 12 inches-plus long, and just went randomly running along Borough High Street stabbing people. A young girl got stabbed in the chest, laying there, it’s so sad.
As soon as I saw this, I thought, ‘I’m gonna try and hit him, I’m gonna try and knock him down’. I spun the cab round, I was about to ram one of them, but he sidestepped me.As soon as I saw this, I thought, ‘I’m gonna try and hit him, I’m gonna try and knock him down’. I spun the cab round, I was about to ram one of them, but he sidestepped me.
These three police officers came running towards him with their batons drawn, they didn’t know what was happening, they just came running towards the incident. Bravery, I wish them all the best, all they had was a baton.These three police officers came running towards him with their batons drawn, they didn’t know what was happening, they just came running towards the incident. Bravery, I wish them all the best, all they had was a baton.
The black cab driver, who identified himself only as Chris, described the scene in further detail.The black cab driver, who identified himself only as Chris, described the scene in further detail.
It was sickening. I didn’t know what to do. There was two young girls, I picked them up, and just took them away from there, dropped them off as far away as possible.It was sickening. I didn’t know what to do. There was two young girls, I picked them up, and just took them away from there, dropped them off as far away as possible.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.24am BST at 11.34am BST
11.22am BST11.22am BST
11:2211:22
The Home Office has set up a webpage here with information about the support available for people affected by the attacks.The Home Office has set up a webpage here with information about the support available for people affected by the attacks.
The page contains advice on where to seek urgent assistance and information, including the official helplines for the incident. It also provides guidance on support services available for victims, witnesses, family members and all those affected by the attacks.The page contains advice on where to seek urgent assistance and information, including the official helplines for the incident. It also provides guidance on support services available for victims, witnesses, family members and all those affected by the attacks.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.24am BSTat 11.24am BST
11.19am BST11.19am BST
11:1911:19
Caroline BannockCaroline Bannock
Jo Wace, 64, a teacher from Dartford, and her friend were walking towards London Bridge station as the attack happened.Jo Wace, 64, a teacher from Dartford, and her friend were walking towards London Bridge station as the attack happened.
We’d been at the Globe theatre watching a performance of Romeo and Juliet and had been chatting about it afterwards so we were late to leave the theatre. At about 10.20pm, we were walking along the pedestrianised part of the South Bank, we’d just passed the Anchor Bankside pub when we saw a large group of people rushing towards us. We assumed that they had to be running towards something not away from it but then one person told us they thought there had been an incident and then we heard the sirens.We’d been at the Globe theatre watching a performance of Romeo and Juliet and had been chatting about it afterwards so we were late to leave the theatre. At about 10.20pm, we were walking along the pedestrianised part of the South Bank, we’d just passed the Anchor Bankside pub when we saw a large group of people rushing towards us. We assumed that they had to be running towards something not away from it but then one person told us they thought there had been an incident and then we heard the sirens.
The crowd were very calm, very orderly, but then we came across two young French men in their 20s. One of them was very upset and though his friend was trying to calm him down, he couldn’t. I have dual French citizenship and can speak French so I approached him. He was saying: “Look at my hands, I can’t stop them shaking.” He told us he was right there when the van ploughed into people right in front of him. He and his friend turned and ran but they lost another French friend, who was with them, in the confusion. As I was talking to him, we heard a big bang and we realised we should move away.The crowd were very calm, very orderly, but then we came across two young French men in their 20s. One of them was very upset and though his friend was trying to calm him down, he couldn’t. I have dual French citizenship and can speak French so I approached him. He was saying: “Look at my hands, I can’t stop them shaking.” He told us he was right there when the van ploughed into people right in front of him. He and his friend turned and ran but they lost another French friend, who was with them, in the confusion. As I was talking to him, we heard a big bang and we realised we should move away.
We tried to leave the area together but there were so many people milling around that we lost them. My friend and I spent a long time trying to find an open station; eventually we crossed the Millennium Bridge. There were people taking selfies on the bridge who hadn’t realised what had happened. Just after midnight we caught a train from Liverpool Street to Romford where a friend picked us up and took us back to Dartford. We felt very calm at the time.It doesn’t hit you till afterwards.We tried to leave the area together but there were so many people milling around that we lost them. My friend and I spent a long time trying to find an open station; eventually we crossed the Millennium Bridge. There were people taking selfies on the bridge who hadn’t realised what had happened. Just after midnight we caught a train from Liverpool Street to Romford where a friend picked us up and took us back to Dartford. We felt very calm at the time.It doesn’t hit you till afterwards.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.23am BSTat 11.23am BST
11.15am BST11.15am BST
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Reports suggest Southwark Bridge is reopening.Reports suggest Southwark Bridge is reopening.
Police cordon getting wound back up Southwark bridge road. I'm told the bridge is now open @BBCRadioLondon #Londonattack pic.twitter.com/X8wpJyNo8APolice cordon getting wound back up Southwark bridge road. I'm told the bridge is now open @BBCRadioLondon #Londonattack pic.twitter.com/X8wpJyNo8A
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.24am BSTat 11.24am BST
11.10am BST11.10am BST
11:1011:10
Alice RossAlice Ross
Irene Smith, who lives near London Bridge, said she heard gunshots several hours after the area had been cleared.Irene Smith, who lives near London Bridge, said she heard gunshots several hours after the area had been cleared.
“At about 1.15am I could hear two gunshots in the distance,” she said. About 45 minutes later she heard “another pop – it felt like gunshots”, she said.“At about 1.15am I could hear two gunshots in the distance,” she said. About 45 minutes later she heard “another pop – it felt like gunshots”, she said.
Smith had found her way home after fleeing the area earlier in the evening. She had been on a date in the Slug and Lettuce on Borough High Street when it became clear something was going on outside. “We were just talking and then suddenly I heard people gather around the window facing Borough High Street,” she said.Smith had found her way home after fleeing the area earlier in the evening. She had been on a date in the Slug and Lettuce on Borough High Street when it became clear something was going on outside. “We were just talking and then suddenly I heard people gather around the window facing Borough High Street,” she said.
“People were like, ‘What’s going on?’ Somebody said, ‘Run! Run!’ We thought there was a fight outside so we didn’t bother, but then the staff were shouting, ‘Leave, run now.’” Police were standing in the middle of the street, she said.“People were like, ‘What’s going on?’ Somebody said, ‘Run! Run!’ We thought there was a fight outside so we didn’t bother, but then the staff were shouting, ‘Leave, run now.’” Police were standing in the middle of the street, she said.
“I’m really surprised how quickly police managed to get here – there was car after car,” she said.“I’m really surprised how quickly police managed to get here – there was car after car,” she said.
Smith remembers a policewoman shouting, “Run as fast as you can. Run for your life.”Smith remembers a policewoman shouting, “Run as fast as you can. Run for your life.”
“So we didn’t know what we were running from. It was quite unsettling. You half expected gunshots from the back.”“So we didn’t know what we were running from. It was quite unsettling. You half expected gunshots from the back.”
She continued: “The most shocking moment was a woman aged 40-45 in a pink top crying. I hugged her and said are you all right. She said, ‘I’ve seen someone being stabbed.’”She continued: “The most shocking moment was a woman aged 40-45 in a pink top crying. I hugged her and said are you all right. She said, ‘I’ve seen someone being stabbed.’”
As Smith and her date headed south towards Borough station, police along the way urged the crowd to hurry. “The police kept saying all the way down ... ‘Run, keep running, keep moving. Get somewhere safe. Clear the area.’As Smith and her date headed south towards Borough station, police along the way urged the crowd to hurry. “The police kept saying all the way down ... ‘Run, keep running, keep moving. Get somewhere safe. Clear the area.’
“People were crying, people had lost their friends and couldn’t get in touch with them.”“People were crying, people had lost their friends and couldn’t get in touch with them.”
They were told to get on to the tube as soon as possible if they needed to travel. “We still didn’t know what was happening. We went straight to the tube – staff were really good, very protective.”They were told to get on to the tube as soon as possible if they needed to travel. “We still didn’t know what was happening. We went straight to the tube – staff were really good, very protective.”
A train approached but didn’t stop, and staff said the station would probably close soon. Buses had also stopped, she said. “So we were kind of stuck in the area ... we wanted to hide somewhere in a small corner or a pub but we thought anyone could storm in and start shooting.”A train approached but didn’t stop, and staff said the station would probably close soon. Buses had also stopped, she said. “So we were kind of stuck in the area ... we wanted to hide somewhere in a small corner or a pub but we thought anyone could storm in and start shooting.”
Despite the chaos, Smith remembers feeling oddly calm. “I was laughing – that was my defensive reaction,” she said. It was only later that the situation sank in. Smith lives in Guinness Court, near Borough Market, and although police told her she wouldn’t be able to get home, she made her way home through the backstreets at about 1am.Despite the chaos, Smith remembers feeling oddly calm. “I was laughing – that was my defensive reaction,” she said. It was only later that the situation sank in. Smith lives in Guinness Court, near Borough Market, and although police told her she wouldn’t be able to get home, she made her way home through the backstreets at about 1am.
“It was pretty empty – a post-apocalypse feeling,” she said. “It’s very unusual to see London Bridge so empty on a Saturday night.”“It was pretty empty – a post-apocalypse feeling,” she said. “It’s very unusual to see London Bridge so empty on a Saturday night.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.26am BSTat 11.26am BST
11.00am BST11.00am BST
11:0011:00
Reports suggest a number of people have been taken away by police from the block of flats in Barking.Reports suggest a number of people have been taken away by police from the block of flats in Barking.
Aerial footage shows an ambulance parked outside the high-rise building, a number of police officers and a tape cordon.Aerial footage shows an ambulance parked outside the high-rise building, a number of police officers and a tape cordon.
10.57am BST10.57am BST
10:5710:57
Rudd says the government wants to do more to stop the way young men are being “groomed” into radicalisation. She says the messages of hate have changed. The terrorists are no longer encouraging Britons to join the Caliphate. Instead they are trying to “weaponise” people in this country.Rudd says the government wants to do more to stop the way young men are being “groomed” into radicalisation. She says the messages of hate have changed. The terrorists are no longer encouraging Britons to join the Caliphate. Instead they are trying to “weaponise” people in this country.
Q: We cannot tackle this on our own?Q: We cannot tackle this on our own?
Rudd says we can do so much more. The PM has announced an international forum to get internet companies to address radicalisation online. We want them to focus on two things, she says: taking down material that radicalises people online; and stopping people exploiting end-to-end encryption.Rudd says we can do so much more. The PM has announced an international forum to get internet companies to address radicalisation online. We want them to focus on two things, she says: taking down material that radicalises people online; and stopping people exploiting end-to-end encryption.
Q: Is it right to politicise this?Q: Is it right to politicise this?
Rudd says there will be no politicisation of the effort to keep people safe.Rudd says there will be no politicisation of the effort to keep people safe.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.59am BSTat 10.59am BST
10.53am BST10.53am BST
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Rudd says threat level is not being raised from severe to criticalRudd 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.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 it now. The threat level 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.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 it now. The threat level 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.Rudd says threat level is not being raised from severe to critical.
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at 11.00am BSTat 11.00am BST
10.46am BST10.46am BST
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Police operation under way in Barking - reportsPolice operation under way in Barking - reports
Sky News is showing live footage of a police operation under way 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.Sky News is showing live footage of a police operation under way 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.
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at 11.00am BSTat 11.00am BST
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May says national campaigning would resume in full on Monday. The election will go ahead as planned on Thursday.May says national campaigning would 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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.01am BSTat 11.01am BST