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London Bridge attack: police make 12 arrests in Barking as death toll rises to seven - live updates London Bridge attack: police make 12 arrests in Barking as death toll rises to seven - live updates
(35 minutes later)
2.20pm BST
14:20
Labour suggests May's speech broke truce on political campaigning
Rajeev Syal
Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, said Theresa May’s statement appeared to be a breach of an agreement with Labour to put aside political campaigning and was insensitive to those who are just becoming aware that their loved ones have died.
She told Radio 4’s World This Weekend that she regretted the prime minister’s statement because it was not putting forward proposals that are to be implemented immediately. She said:
None of the things [May] is proposing in the four point plan are immediate steps and so I regret the timing of this.
There is an agreement between the parties that there will not be party political campaigning until this evening or tomorrow.
I think that [what May has said] is drawing us in to a debate. I think there is time enough to discuss these issues. I don’t think that anything she is proposing is anything that needs to be or will be dealt with tomorrow, and I don’t think anything is an immediate step that she is putting forward. If it was then, that would be different matter.
But to come out on to the steps of 10 Downing Street immediately in the aftermath of a terrible outrage would not be something that would be expected.
She has said enough is enough. Well I thought enough was enough after 9/11, I thought that enough was enough after 7/7, I didn’t think we should be taking any more of these attacks on our people, we all agree on that.
We need to do more but we also need to be sensitive to the fact that there are people who are only just discovering that their loved ones have died.
Asked if Corbyn had also made a political point a few hours earlier when raising police numbers and the money required for intelligence, Thornberry replied:
I think it is a good idea to stick to the agreement that there was not going to be party political campaigning until this evening and the Labour party will begin campaigning this evening.
2.18pm BST
14:18
Alice Ross
A man named Will, who didn’t want to give his surname, described how he was among around 100 people to be shut inside the Sheaf pub in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
“A lot of people came running in and we thought there was a fightgoing on,” he said. “The bouncer shut the doors and locked us in.”
A few others were allowed in to shelter in the pub, he said.
“Those guys looked more shaken up,” he said. “A bloke who sounded Italian said he had just witnessed two men stabbing two women repeatedly. He was on the brink of tears.”
Then a “huge surge of people” came in, he said. “I think they werefrom Katzenjammers”, the bar next door where terrified punters hadbeen filmed being ordered to get on the floor by armed police.
Will said he believed they came through a shared fire exit or cellar. “They were all running trying to get out of the building,” he said. “That caused panic in the Sheaf.”
By this point he said there were about 100 people in the pub. “TheSheaf isn’t really a big pub so it got pretty crowded,” he said. “Thenews was just saying it was a truck but we had people in there sayingthey had seen a stabbing. It was very confusing.”
After an hour or so the police told them to leave the area as fast aspossible. “We came across quite a few bodies,” he said. “I don’t knowif they were dead.”
He could recall seeing at least five people on the ground with foilblankets being tended to by emergency teams.
“There was a second surge when we got out of the safe zone,” Willsaid. “I saw a grown man faint and his friends drag him. That reallyshook me.”
2.17pm BST
14:17
Barking resident, Ken Chigbo, told Sky News he spoke to the man believed to be one of the attackers only yesterday and he expressed interest in Chigbo’s hire van.
I’m moving house at the moment. So I had a big van outside. He came up to me and said ‘oh Ken, you’re moving’.
He’s usually a very nice friendly guy. But this time it was on a different level of nice. It’s quite strange to put into words. He was asking me where I was moving to etc and then he started asking about the van.
Where did you get your van Ken? How much is it? Is it possible to get it in automatic? All these specific questions about the van, which obviously now makes sense in my head. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it.
2.10pm BST
14:10
Caroline Davies
Southwark Cathedral, which is next to Borough Market, is closed. A statement on its website reads:
As a consequence of the terrorist incident yesterday evening on London Bridge and at the Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral remains closed until further notice. This means that no services can take place until the police cordon is lifted.
2.07pm BST
14:07
Haroon Siddique
Ajay, from Bombay, India, is on holiday with his wife and two children aged nine and 14. He said his family had abandoned plans to visit Manchester because of the attack on the Ariana Grande concert but we’re staying at the Premier Inn close to where last night’s attack happened.
They were in Alma’s pizzeria on Borough High Street, on what was supposed to be the last day of their holiday when panic erupted around them.
He said:
We were just sitting having a pizza by the window. We saw a lot of police vehicles, we went out to see what was going on and we heard gunshots. At first we thought it was firecrackers, people celebrating the match (the Champions League final) but then we saw people running and ran into our hotel.
They were supposed to get a flight back to India this morning but we’re unable to retrieve their luggage from their hotel within the police cordon.
We were supposed to go to Manchester then didn’t because of the attack there. I can’t believe it’s happened in London, it makes me feel numb. I’m from India and you’re used to this type of thing but I thought London was the best, safest place for a holiday.
2.02pm BST
14:02
May wants to beef up Tpims to allow terror suspects to be forced to move home, Duncan Smith claims
Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative former work and pensions secretary, told the World this Weekend that Therese May would probably try to toughen up Tpims (terrorism prevention and investigation measures). These are the the measures introduced by the coalition to place restrictions on people who are suspected of being terrorists but who have not been convicted of an offence. They replaced control orders, introduced by Labour, which were tougher, but which were being challenged in the courts.
Duncan Smith, who served in the coalition cabinet, said that was one of the things to which May was referring when she spoke about toughening anti-terror laws. (See 11.56am.) He was asked if that meant internment and he replied:
Internment always conjures up views of internment of the IRA back in the 1970s. I don’t think that is what is on the table. But I think what is on the table is a much tighter view about the way we got about this Tpim stuff.
One of the things that I was concerned about in coalition – I know Theresa May was when she was home secretary – was during the coalition the Tpim order that we brought in, which gives those powers, was watered down. And I think it was weakened too much.
The general sense is, and I think this is the feeling also within the security services, is that, if you think about it, they are watching at least 500 people, every hour of every day. And then there are thousands more that they need to watch, but it’s just not feasible ... So what they need to be able to do is lesson the burden on themselves by, those who they are most concerned about, putting them in a place where they cannot do anything. That allows them to go wider, to investigate and look further ahead at the others.
And I think this is really what Theresa May is getting to.
There are several differences between Tpims and control orders but a crucial one is that control orders allowed “involuntary relocation”. A suspect living in London could be ordered to go and live somewhere else, where he would be out of touch with his associates. Duncan Smith is implying (when he talks about suspects being “put in a place where they cannot do anything”) that May wants to reintroduce this power
Duncan Smith suggests May wants to beef up Tpims to allow suspects to be forced to move home.
This is from a Commons library note (pdf) explaining the differences between control orders and Tpims.
The measures that may be imposed under [Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act] are finite, unlike those under the [Prevention of Terrorism Act], and are less intrusive in certain respects.
Involuntary relocation is no longer permitted. This was one of the most controversial aspects of the control order regime, and relocation requirements were struck down by the courts in several cases. Overnight residence requirements which are permitted for Tpim subjects must be based somewhere in which the subject has a residence or connection.
Curfews of up to 16 hours are replaced by “overnight residence requirements”. The power to confine persons to a particular area is replaced by a power to exclude them from particular specified areas or places.
The power to ban all electronic communications is replaced by a provision that requires the subject to be allowed the use of a fixed line and a mobile telephone, and a computer with internet access.
Police searches for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance with Tpims now require a warrant from the appropriate judicial authority. Measures to prohibit and vet visitors and meetings are relaxed.
Updated
at 2.08pm BST
1.59pm BST
13:59
British Transport Police officer in stable condition - force chief
Jamie Grierson
The British Transport Police (BTP) officer injured as he confronted terrorists with nothing but his baton is in a stable condition, the force chief said.
The BTP chief constable, Paul Crowther, said: “Having visited the officer in hospital shortly after he was admitted for treatment, I was able to hear his account of what happened last night.
“It became clear that he showed enormous courage in the face of danger, as did many others who were at the scene and rushed to help. Although he is seriously unwell, he was able to recount how he faced the attackers armed only with his baton, outside London Bridge station.
“For an officer who only joined us less than two years ago, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud.
“All of us at BTP wish him a swift recovery, and I know he will be touched by the hundreds of messages of support from across the UK and the world. Our thoughts are with all of those who died or were injured, and their loved ones as they try to come to terms with what happened.”
Members of the public should expect to see extra police officers patrolling stations in London and the south-east.
Updated
at 2.03pm BST
1.48pm BST1.48pm BST
13:4813:48
Nadia KhomamiNadia Khomami
Richard Angell was in Arabica bar and kitchen in Borough Market when the attack took place last night. This morning he returned to the restaurant, where he was having dinner with friends, to pay his bill and tip the staff. Richard Angell was in the Arabica bar and kitchen in Borough Market when the attack took place last night. This morning he returned to the restaurant, where he was having dinner with friends, to pay his bill and tip the staff.
In an interview with the BBC, a defiant Angell said: “If me having a gin and tonic with my friends, flirting with handsome men, hanging out with brilliant women is what offends these people so much, I’m going to do it more not less, because that’s what makes London so great, that’s what makes it the best city in the world, and we’re going to go out and enjoy it more.” In an interview with the BBC, a defiant Angell said: “If me having a gin and tonic with my friends, flirting with handsome men, hanging out with brilliant women, is what offends these people so much, I’m going to do it more not less, because that’s what makes London so great, that’s what makes it the best city in the world, and we’re going to go out and enjoy it more.”
Angell said he was more determined than ever “to love a city that looks after me”.Angell said he was more determined than ever “to love a city that looks after me”.
He said the emergency services were “phenomenal”. “They were there within seconds, they kept us safe, they swept the place. Two things really stuck with me. One, when we were leaving, the police were our eyes and ears, as we’re trying to avoid blood or people’s shoes that have fallen off or dropped wallets or whatever, they were our eyes and ears.He said the emergency services were “phenomenal”. “They were there within seconds, they kept us safe, they swept the place. Two things really stuck with me. One, when we were leaving, the police were our eyes and ears, as we’re trying to avoid blood or people’s shoes that have fallen off or dropped wallets or whatever, they were our eyes and ears.
“Secondly I noticed the paramedic who was looking after a woman who was sadly face down on the ground, there was a couple of them, I thought they run at danger, then they turn their back to danger, to put together the life in front of them while we’re running for our lives behind them.”“Secondly I noticed the paramedic who was looking after a woman who was sadly face down on the ground, there was a couple of them, I thought they run at danger, then they turn their back to danger, to put together the life in front of them while we’re running for our lives behind them.”
He added: “I might never meet the people who made the judgments that potentially saved my life last night, but I’m thankful to those people. I hope London hugs them in lots of ways.”He added: “I might never meet the people who made the judgments that potentially saved my life last night, but I’m thankful to those people. I hope London hugs them in lots of ways.”
Brilliant & defiant interview from someone who was in a restaurant attacked last night here in London. The right response from a tough city. pic.twitter.com/iyZT8V63VcBrilliant & defiant interview from someone who was in a restaurant attacked last night here in London. The right response from a tough city. pic.twitter.com/iyZT8V63Vc
Updated
at 1.53pm BST
1.32pm BST1.32pm BST
13:3213:32
Nadia KhomamiNadia Khomami
A taxi driver has told how his passenger saved lives by using her body to barricade a restaurant door in order to stop an attacker from coming in.A taxi driver has told how his passenger saved lives by using her body to barricade a restaurant door in order to stop an attacker from coming in.
Aksha Patel said the woman, who was travelling with one other person in his cab, had acted as a barrier for “a few seconds”, allowing people to escape from the back entrance of the Black and Blue restaurant.Aksha Patel said the woman, who was travelling with one other person in his cab, had acted as a barrier for “a few seconds”, allowing people to escape from the back entrance of the Black and Blue restaurant.
He told Sky News: “She knew they were bad people trying to break in.“ She managed to hold the door for a few seconds but they overpowered her. “People managed to escape through the rear door possibly saving a good 20 people’s lives.”He told Sky News: “She knew they were bad people trying to break in.“ She managed to hold the door for a few seconds but they overpowered her. “People managed to escape through the rear door possibly saving a good 20 people’s lives.”
It is just one of a number of extraordinary stories emerging about ordinary people’s acts of heroism, without which the death toll from last night could have been higher.It is just one of a number of extraordinary stories emerging about ordinary people’s acts of heroism, without which the death toll from last night could have been higher.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.37pm BSTat 1.37pm BST
1.26pm BST1.26pm BST
13:2613:26
Injured off-duty Met officer tackled terrorist - sourcesInjured off-duty Met officer tackled terrorist - sources
The off-duty Met police officer injured during the attacks tackled one of the terrorists, sources have said. Another two people were injured during the confrontation.The off-duty Met police officer injured during the attacks tackled one of the terrorists, sources have said. Another two people were injured during the confrontation.
Scotland Yard has confirmed that the off-duty officer, as well as a British Transport Police (BTP) officer, were injured in the attack.Scotland Yard has confirmed that the off-duty officer, as well as a British Transport Police (BTP) officer, were injured in the attack.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.37pm BSTat 1.37pm BST
1.12pm BST1.12pm BST
13:1213:12
12 people have been arrested in Barking, Met says12 people have been arrested in Barking, Met says
Nadia KhomamiNadia Khomami
Officers from the Met’s counter terrorism command have arrested 12 people in Barking in connection with last night’s attacks. In a statement, the Met said:Officers from the Met’s counter terrorism command have arrested 12 people in Barking in connection with last night’s attacks. In a statement, the Met said:
At 22.08hrs on Saturday, 3 June, we received reports that a white van had struck pedestrians on London Bridge. The van then drove to Borough Market where the three men left the vehicle and stabbed a number of people. The suspects were wearing what we now know to be hoax suicide vests.At 22.08hrs on Saturday, 3 June, we received reports that a white van had struck pedestrians on London Bridge. The van then drove to Borough Market where the three men left the vehicle and stabbed a number of people. The suspects were wearing what we now know to be hoax suicide vests.
Armed officers confronted the three suspects who were shot and killed in Borough Market. Seven people have died, in addition to the three attackers shot dead by police. A further 48 people were taken to hospital, some of whom are believed to be suffering serious and life-threatening injuries.Armed officers confronted the three suspects who were shot and killed in Borough Market. Seven people have died, in addition to the three attackers shot dead by police. A further 48 people were taken to hospital, some of whom are believed to be suffering serious and life-threatening injuries.
The MPS is in the process of informing next of kin and specialist officers have been deployed to provide support to families.The MPS is in the process of informing next of kin and specialist officers have been deployed to provide support to families.
The Met added that among those injured in the attack are a British Transport Police officer and an off-duty Metropolitan police officer. Both remain in hospital with serious injuries but neither is believed to be in a life-threatening condition.The Met added that among those injured in the attack are a British Transport Police officer and an off-duty Metropolitan police officer. Both remain in hospital with serious injuries but neither is believed to be in a life-threatening condition.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.19pm BST at 1.55pm BST
1.09pm BST1.09pm BST
13:0913:09
Matthew TaylorMatthew Taylor
Furqan Navi, who lived in the block raided by police in Barking this morning, said he recognised his neighbour as one of the attackers lying dead in Borough Market after he had been shot by armed police.Furqan Navi, who lived in the block raided by police in Barking this morning, said he recognised his neighbour as one of the attackers lying dead in Borough Market after he had been shot by armed police.
“He lived there with his wife and two children, he’d been there for about three years. He seemed pretty friendly but I didn’t know him,” Navi said.“He lived there with his wife and two children, he’d been there for about three years. He seemed pretty friendly but I didn’t know him,” Navi said.
Another neighbour said he had seen the man two days ago. “He seemed a friendly, cool sort of guy. He was friendly and liked playing with kids. He was in his 20s I guess.”Another neighbour said he had seen the man two days ago. “He seemed a friendly, cool sort of guy. He was friendly and liked playing with kids. He was in his 20s I guess.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.11pm BSTat 1.11pm BST
1.08pm BST1.08pm BST
13:0813:08
Here is the full statement from Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, on the London Bridge attack:Here is the full statement from Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, on the London Bridge attack:
Chancellor #Merkel on #LondonAttacks: My thoughts are with our British friends. I wish those injured a swift recovery. (BPA) pic.twitter.com/Bo2ZVaQxNjChancellor #Merkel on #LondonAttacks: My thoughts are with our British friends. I wish those injured a swift recovery. (BPA) pic.twitter.com/Bo2ZVaQxNj
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.11pm BSTat 1.11pm BST
12.58pm BST12.58pm BST
12:5812:58
This is how Theresa May (or whoever writes her tweets) has chosen to summarise the speech she gave earlier:This is how Theresa May (or whoever writes her tweets) has chosen to summarise the speech she gave earlier:
Enough is enough. Read my response to last night’s brutal terror attack: https://t.co/MHQ4SPG0aQEnough is enough. Read my response to last night’s brutal terror attack: https://t.co/MHQ4SPG0aQ
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.03pm BSTat 1.03pm BST
12.57pm BST12.57pm BST
12:5712:57
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
President Trump is still tweeting about the London attack. Bizarrely, he seems to think what happened supports the case against gun control.President Trump is still tweeting about the London attack. Bizarrely, he seems to think what happened supports the case against gun control.
Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!
12.51pm BST12.51pm BST
12:5112:51
Here is some reaction to Theresa May’s speech (see 11.56am) from commentators and political figures.Here is some reaction to Theresa May’s speech (see 11.56am) from commentators and political figures.
From Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader:From Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader:
May now talks tough on terrorism. She had 6 years in charge of this as Home Secretary.May now talks tough on terrorism. She had 6 years in charge of this as Home Secretary.
May says enough is enough. We should have reached this conclusion years ago.May says enough is enough. We should have reached this conclusion years ago.
From Matt Zarb-Cousin, who until recently was Jeremy Corbyn’s press officer:From Matt Zarb-Cousin, who until recently was Jeremy Corbyn’s press officer:
Most people will see Theresa May's statement for what it is: politicising a terrorist attack because she's worried about losing the electionMost people will see Theresa May's statement for what it is: politicising a terrorist attack because she's worried about losing the election
Theresa May has been Home Secretary and Prime Minister for the past 7 years. She has failed to protect the British people from terrorism https://t.co/YYOqFqTFIyTheresa May has been Home Secretary and Prime Minister for the past 7 years. She has failed to protect the British people from terrorism https://t.co/YYOqFqTFIy
For May to come out the day after a terrorist attack attempting to distract from her own record by blaming the internet is utterly risibleFor May to come out the day after a terrorist attack attempting to distract from her own record by blaming the internet is utterly risible
May politicising the attack means her record is now fair game: police cuts, under resourcing of MI5 and our relationship with Saudi ArabiaMay politicising the attack means her record is now fair game: police cuts, under resourcing of MI5 and our relationship with Saudi Arabia
From Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former press secetary:From Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former press secetary:
Mrs May is happy enough to tolerate the extremism of the Brextremist Lie Machine newspapers spewing hate day after day.Mrs May is happy enough to tolerate the extremism of the Brextremist Lie Machine newspapers spewing hate day after day.
From Alex Nunns, the writer and author of a book about Corbyn:From Alex Nunns, the writer and author of a book about Corbyn:
This morning May agreed to suspend election campaigning & then politicised a tragedy in her speech. She is campaigning. Poor judgement.This morning May agreed to suspend election campaigning & then politicised a tragedy in her speech. She is campaigning. Poor judgement.
When Corbyn made an obvious point 4 days after Manchester he was accused of politicising it. Are all those pious voices criticising May now?When Corbyn made an obvious point 4 days after Manchester he was accused of politicising it. Are all those pious voices criticising May now?
Im livid about May's speech.She was Home Secretary for 6 years! Now she tries to win an election by saying there's "far too much tolerance."Im livid about May's speech.She was Home Secretary for 6 years! Now she tries to win an election by saying there's "far too much tolerance."
From the Daily Mirror’s Kevin Maguire:From the Daily Mirror’s Kevin Maguire:
May's was a political, campaigning speech. So who since 2010 was Home Sec then PM if "far too much tolerance of extremism in our country"? https://t.co/04VnT6AZTZMay's was a political, campaigning speech. So who since 2010 was Home Sec then PM if "far too much tolerance of extremism in our country"? https://t.co/04VnT6AZTZ
From the New Statesman’s Stephen Bush:From the New Statesman’s Stephen Bush:
This doesn't look like campaign suspension to me. Also remarkable from Home Secretary for 6 years. https://t.co/ToU6mmpcxFThis doesn't look like campaign suspension to me. Also remarkable from Home Secretary for 6 years. https://t.co/ToU6mmpcxF
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.07pm BSTat 1.07pm BST
12.49pm BST12.49pm BST
12:4912:49
Terrorist was shot dead by police mid-attack in pub - eyewitness
Hannah Ellis-PetersenHannah Ellis-Petersen
Lewis Bennett, 39, was a witness to the attack that took place in the Globe pub in London Bridge. Bennett described how the attacker, who was between 25 and 30, and clean-shaven Lewis Bennett, 39, was a witness to the attack that took place in the Globe pub in London Bridge.
, was dressed in a black robe and had a curved knife in his belt, which was about 1ft long. His description of events has been contradicted by other witnesses. Bennett described how the attacker, who was between 25 and 30, and clean-shaven, was dressed in a black robe and had a curved knife in his belt, which was about 1ft long.
“Everyone gasped when he ran into the pub but he didn’t do anything at first, just stood still for about 10 seconds,” said Bennett. “But then he grabbed the knife and stabbed people closest to him. He stabbed people in the stomach and legs, I think about five or six people. People started screaming and running out the back door. He was shouting ‘Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar’ and he had a British accent.“Everyone gasped when he ran into the pub but he didn’t do anything at first, just stood still for about 10 seconds,” said Bennett. “But then he grabbed the knife and stabbed people closest to him. He stabbed people in the stomach and legs, I think about five or six people. People started screaming and running out the back door. He was shouting ‘Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar’ and he had a British accent.
“I went to go stand in the loo and I could hear all the screaming. I came back out and he was standing there right in the centre of the pub and all the blood was dripping from his blade.”“I went to go stand in the loo and I could hear all the screaming. I came back out and he was standing there right in the centre of the pub and all the blood was dripping from his blade.”
Bennett said two policemen then came in through the back door. The attacker lunged at one of the policemen but the other knelt on the floor and fired two shots at the attacker, taking him out instantly.Bennett said two policemen then came in through the back door. The attacker lunged at one of the policemen but the other knelt on the floor and fired two shots at the attacker, taking him out instantly.
“He died there on the pub floor,” said Bennett. ”The police came in and covered the body and the paramedics came in to help the people who hadn’t escaped through the back door. I think a few died but most people were still alive I think. It looked like there were about five people who were attacked. It was such a frightening ordeal, it was so frightening.”“He died there on the pub floor,” said Bennett. ”The police came in and covered the body and the paramedics came in to help the people who hadn’t escaped through the back door. I think a few died but most people were still alive I think. It looked like there were about five people who were attacked. It was such a frightening ordeal, it was so frightening.”
Bennett told the Guardian he had had a drink at the time of the attack and could not remember every detail.Bennett told the Guardian he had had a drink at the time of the attack and could not remember every detail.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.00pm BST at 2.04pm BST
12.45pm BST12.45pm BST
12:4512:45
Barking residents report arrest at raided flatBarking residents report arrest at raided flat
Barking residents have been speaking to my colleagues, Robert Booth and Matthew Taylor, about a raid on a property believed to be linked to one of the London attackers and where as many as five arrests are thought to have been made.Barking residents have been speaking to my colleagues, Robert Booth and Matthew Taylor, about a raid on a property believed to be linked to one of the London attackers and where as many as five arrests are thought to have been made.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, described the man who lived in a flat at the centre of the raid as a slim, bearded man in his mid-20s, married with a young child, no older than two. He is believed to be of Pakistani origin.A neighbour, who asked not to be named, described the man who lived in a flat at the centre of the raid as a slim, bearded man in his mid-20s, married with a young child, no older than two. He is believed to be of Pakistani origin.
She told the Guardian she had recognised her neighbour as the man from a picture that circulated last night of one of the attackers lying on the ground in Borough Market after he had been shot by armed police.She told the Guardian she had recognised her neighbour as the man from a picture that circulated last night of one of the attackers lying on the ground in Borough Market after he had been shot by armed police.
Her suspicion appeared to be confirmed when she woke on Sunday morning to see police officers photographing his red Peugeot car.Her suspicion appeared to be confirmed when she woke on Sunday morning to see police officers photographing his red Peugeot car.
“I realised it was him,” she said. “It is shocking. Everybody here has children and jobs. We never thought anyone here would have the type of mentality to do something like that. I used to see them every night, He had a wife and child and would drop them off home and would look for a parking spot.“I realised it was him,” she said. “It is shocking. Everybody here has children and jobs. We never thought anyone here would have the type of mentality to do something like that. I used to see them every night, He had a wife and child and would drop them off home and would look for a parking spot.
“He never used to communicate with the women here. I just knew him as the guy that always came at a certain time and would drop his wife and kid off right close to the main door and then go.“He never used to communicate with the women here. I just knew him as the guy that always came at a certain time and would drop his wife and kid off right close to the main door and then go.
“He never used to park where he should park. He never really looked at us and if he did he didn’t look happy as if he had a why are women out on the street at this time of the night type of look on his face.” She said he wore traditional Islamic robes and his wife wore a full-face veil.“He never used to park where he should park. He never really looked at us and if he did he didn’t look happy as if he had a why are women out on the street at this time of the night type of look on his face.” She said he wore traditional Islamic robes and his wife wore a full-face veil.
“He used to have the beard, the long dress that men wear, sometimes white, sometimes dark-coloured,” she said.“He used to have the beard, the long dress that men wear, sometimes white, sometimes dark-coloured,” she said.
Michael Mimbo, 25, had been getting ready for his shift as a security guard. “I heard cars screeching up the road and lots of shouting of ’get down get down’. I went outside to see what was going on and there were armed police everywhere.Michael Mimbo, 25, had been getting ready for his shift as a security guard. “I heard cars screeching up the road and lots of shouting of ’get down get down’. I went outside to see what was going on and there were armed police everywhere.
“There were three people lying on the floor with guns pointed at them and I saw another one being Tasered as he tried to get away – it was chaos.” Mimbo said he had seen the man before but did not know him. He said that in all he saw five people – four men and one woman being detained.“There were three people lying on the floor with guns pointed at them and I saw another one being Tasered as he tried to get away – it was chaos.” Mimbo said he had seen the man before but did not know him. He said that in all he saw five people – four men and one woman being detained.
Another neighbour, Furqan Navi, 35, said he believed the raid had centred on a ground-floor flat in the Elizabeth Fry block of flats in Barking where a family had lived for at least three years.Another neighbour, Furqan Navi, 35, said he believed the raid had centred on a ground-floor flat in the Elizabeth Fry block of flats in Barking where a family had lived for at least three years.
“There was lots and lots of shouting so I looked out of the window and there were armed police everywhere – it was most alarming.”“There was lots and lots of shouting so I looked out of the window and there were armed police everywhere – it was most alarming.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.58pm BST at 1.55pm BST