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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)
12.35pm BST
12:35
The US president, Donald Trump, has criticised the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, in his latest tweet:
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don't get smart it will only get worse
12.33pm BST
12:33
Metropolitan police officers among injured - federation chief
Jamie Grierson
The chair of the Metropolitan branch of the Police Federation has confirmed Metropolitan police officers are among the injured.
Ken Marsh said:
I can confirm that sadly some of our colleagues were among the injured in the attack last night. I join all UK police colleagues in wishing them a swift recovery. We are offering them our full support.
He added:
First and foremost our thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the horrific events last night and we wish well to those still injured.
There can be no doubt that the swift response of our colleagues – both armed and unarmed – saved further lives from being lost.
There are barely words to describe their bravery – officers who ran towards danger with no thought for their own safety. Londoners can rightly be proud of their emergency services today. They are the best of the best and we thank everyone for their praise and kind comments.
It has been reported that a British Transport police officer was also among the injured.
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12.30pm BST
12:30
Theresa May has spoken to the French president, Emmanuel Macron, about the London Bridge attack, Patrick Wintour reports.
Macron and May spoke this morning (in English) discussing victims, first stages of inquiry and need to combat extremism in social media.
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at 12.36pm BST
12.29pm BST
12:29
A journalist reported missing in the wake of the London terror attack has been found, a friend said. Geoff Ho, a business editor with the Sunday Express, is in intensive care after allegedly being stabbed.
Friends had tweeted that Ho was put in an ambulance after being injured near the Southwark Tavern. The friend, Isabelle Oderberg, tweeted: “We have found Geoff. He is in intensive care.
“Thank you for the RTs and messages. I’ll be going offline now until I hear more.”
Nora Calder also tweeted: “Geoff Ho, stabbed at Southwark Tavern, taken in Ambulance.”
The Sunday Express editor, Martin Townsend, said: “Geoff Ho is an absolutely first-class reporter and a fine and decent man and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time. We are all hoping and praying for a speedy recovery.”
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12.26pm BST
12:26
Ewen MacAskill
The security services and police fear the London Bridge and Borough Market attack may inspire further copycat attacks.
The concern is that the Westminster attack in March, the Manchester bombing last month and London Bridge last night will have a galvanising effect on others who had been half-contemplating attacks.
The security services will be watching to see what impact the attacks have on the estimated 3,000 Britons, mainly Islamists, that they monitor and who are regarded as being capable of domestic terrorism.
The worry about copycat attacks explains why Theresa May, in her statement outside Downing Street, spoke about “terrorism breeds terrorism”.
Since the 2005 London bombing in which 52 were killed, the security services have had a relatively good record. But the tempo has suddenly increased, with three major attacks in just over two months, and several plots disrupted in the same period, one of which has still to be made public.
One of the questions the security services will be looking at is whether those involved in the London Bridge and Borough Market attack were inspired by the Westminster and Manchester attacks.
Updated
at 12.28pm BST
12.24pm BST
12:24
Vikram Dodd
Evidence gained from a recent counter-terrorism operation recorded alleged plotters being inspired by the Westminster attack in March to attempt their own atrocity.
In her speech on Sunday morning, the prime minister said terrorists were being inspired by copying previous recent attacks against the UK, as officials and ministers searched for answers as to why Britain is facing such an upsurge in jihadi activity in the last 10 weeks.
Counter-terrorism investigators believe the upsurge in jihadi attack plots is also possibly linked to the holy month of Ramadan, which began in late May and continues until late June.
In 2016, Ramadan saw an upsurge in attacks around the world. This year it has involved an increase in attempts to attack the UK, one source said. Five plots believed to be at an advanced stage were disrupted since the Westminster attack, four in London and one in Birmingham.
MI5 currently has 3,000 suspects it is investigating for activity ranging from attack plots to support activities and funding, across 500 investigations. It also has a pool of 20,000 former suspects, among whom for instance was the Manchester arena attacker, Salman Abedi.
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12.21pm BST
12:21
Severin Carrell
Police Scotland has warned it will crack down on any incidents of hate crime after last night’s terror attack in London, and said it will “dynamically review” all its security and safety planning, including the deployment of extra armed officers.
There was an increase in reported hate crimes in Scotland, chiefly graffiti attacks on mosques and verbal attacks, after the Manchester Arena bomb.
Assistant chief constable Steve Johnson said:
While we understand that the public will clearly be appalled by these events, I would urge each and every member of our communities to remain united against extremism and hate.
Police Scotland will not tolerate any attempts to target any community by any misguided individual or group and will work with all of our partners to resolve any issues and address any concerns. Should anyone become a victim of, or witness to, any hate crime, they should contact the police and report the incident.
Johnson added there was no specific intelligence or threat of attack in Scotland, which has an autonomous domestic policing and justice system except for UK-wide intelligence, security and border policing services. The same UK-wide threat level of severe applies too.
Police Scotland continues to dynamically review all safety and security plans and operations. An element of this includes ensuring our armed policing and specialist resources are appropriately deployed.
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12.20pm BST
12:20
Sarah Marsh
The Australian actor who featured in Orange is the New Black, Ruby Rose, was reportedly caught up in the London terror attacks. On Saturday, Rose said on Twitter she was in “lockdown”:
I'm lost for words but please know I am currently safe in London in lockdown with @Jessicaveronica -Absolutely tragic and frightening night.
Rose was with with girlfriend Jessica Origliasso, who is one half ofthe Australian band The Veronicas. Origliasso also tweeted about herexperiences.
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12.16pm BST
12:16
Sam Jones
The Spanish foreign ministry has released a statement condemning the atrocity in London and stressing it solidarity with the UK.
“Spain shares the pain of the families of those who have died in these cowardly attacks and wishes all those injured a swift recovery,” it said. “The government offers the British people and authorities its total solidarity and support in the fight against terrorism.”
It added: ‘The Spanish embassy in the UK and the consulate in London have been following the situation since the start to help Spanish citizens and remain in constant contact with the British authorities.”
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12.16pm BST
12:16
Nadia Khomami
Another witness to the London Bridge attack has been praised for attempting to fend off the terrorists by running after them and throwing chairs, bottles and pint glasses in a bid to stop them.
Gerard Vowles, 47, said he had been watching the Champions League final at the Ship pub in Borough and then decided to go home to get something to eat. He was at the start of the south side of London Bridge when saw a woman being stabbed 10 or 15 times by three men in their 30s.
“She was going, ‘Help me, help me’ and I couldn’t do nothing,” he said. “I want to know if this girl is still alive. I’ve been walking around for an hour and a half crying my eyes out. I don’t know what to do.”Vowles said he followed the attackers to Borough Market and started throwing items at them to try and stop the atrocity. “I know it was a silly thing to do but I was trying to save people’s lives,” he said.
Vowles said he hit one of the perpetrators on the back with a chair, at which point they chased him to try to stab him. “I knew if I slipped over I’d be a dead man, I’d be killed there and then.”
He said it took at least 10 minutes for armed police to reach the scene. “They literally just started kicking them, punching them, they took out knives. It was a rampage really.”
He said he knew the canisters attached to one of the men wasn’t a bomb because he he chased them and thrown bottles at them for five minutes. “If it was a bomb they would have blown themselves up.”
Updated
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12.08pm BST
12:08
Police vans are arriving at the address in Barking raided earlier this morning.
Three police vans full of officers just arrived Barking #LondonTerrorAttacks pic.twitter.com/aQzP4mZPr2
12.00pm BST12.00pm BST
12:0012:00
Alan TravisAlan Travis
My colleague, Alan Travis, has analysed Theresa May’s four-point plan for tackling extremism in the wake of this latest attack.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.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.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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.02pm BSTat 12.02pm BST
11.56am BST11.56am BST
11:5611:56
Theresa May's statement - Summary and analysisTheresa 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.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.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. Now May has changed tack. “Things cannot continue as they are,” she said in a speech that proposed a new legislative blitz against terror.
Here are the key points.Here are the key points.
May said terror laws needed to be overhauled because Britain faced new types of terror attack.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.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.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.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.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.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. 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. 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 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.
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.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: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. 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.
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.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. This is a reference to an initiative that May was pushing at the G7 summit last month. 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 say her demands are unrealistic and disproportionate.
May said there was “far too much tolerance of extremism in our country” and that she wanted to stamp it out.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. 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.
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.
While we have made significant progress in recent years, there is - to be frank - far too much tolerance of extremism in our country. 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.
So we need to become far more robust in identifying it and stamping it out across the public sector and across society. 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.
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: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.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.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: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. 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.
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.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. 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.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”.She said that since the Westminster attack in March “the security and intelligence agencies and police have disrupted five credible plots”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.04pm BST at 12.15pm BST
11.49am BST11.49am BST
11:4911:49
Jamie GriersonJamie 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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.59am BSTat 11.59am BST
11.47am BST11.47am BST
11:4711:47
Peter WalkerPeter Walker
My colleague, Peter Walker, has filed this take on the response to the attack by the prime minister, Theresa May.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”.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.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.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.May also suggested the idea of increased prison terms for terrorism offences, even relatively minor ones.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.01pm BSTat 12.01pm BST
11.42am BST11.42am BST
11:4211:42
Sarah MarshSarah Marsh
Felipe Vaiano, a waiter at Roast restaurant in the former floral hall at Borough Market. He told the Guardian: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.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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.58am BSTat 11.58am BST
11.38am BST11.38am BST
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Intelligence agencies and police against raising threat levelIntelligence agencies and police against raising threat level
Ewen MacAskillEwen 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.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.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 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.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 SyriaThere 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
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.44am BSTat 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. The London fire commissioner, Dany Cotton, who was at London Fire Brigade headquarters shortly after the incident, said: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:
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.
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11.26am BST11.26am BST
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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 BST
11:23
Nadia Khomami
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:
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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11:19
Caroline Bannock
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.
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.
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11.15am BST
11:15
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/X8wpJyNo8A
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11.10am BST
11:10
Alice Ross
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.
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.
“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.”
“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.’”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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11:00
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.
10.57am BST
10:57
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.
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.
Q: Is it right to politicise this?
Rudd says there will be no politicisation of the effort to keep people safe.
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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 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.
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10.46am BST
10:46
Police 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.
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10:42
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.
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