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London attacks: incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market confirmed as terrorism – live London attacks: incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market confirmed as terrorism – live
(35 minutes later)
3.17am BST
03:17
Ewen MacAskill
One of the questions the latest attack will prompt is why, after more than a decade of relative security, there have suddenly been three major attacks in the course of three months.
The police and the British domestic intelligence agency MI5 had a good record in combating terrorism, compared with other European countries such as France and Belgium.
After the 2005 London bombing, which killed 52 people plus the four terrorists, MI5 implemented a series of changes, including decentralisation to the Midlands, north of England, Scotland and Wales, to create a better network.
The changes seemed to work, with lots of plots stopped. Terrorist attacks until this year were restricted to single fatalities. Among them were the 2007 attack on Glasgow airport in which only the attacker was killed; a Ukrainian rightwing extremist who stabbed a man to death in Birmingham in 2013 and attacked mosques with homemade bombs; the two men who killed the soldier Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013; and the murder of MP Jo Cox last year.
Since March there has been the Westminster attack by Khalid Masood, who mowed down pedestrians near parliament and stabbed a policeman, resulting in six deaths, including his own: and the Manchester bombing two weeks ago that killed 22. And now London again.
The security services disrupted 18 plots since June 2013 but had recently reported being concerned about an increased tempo in the number of plots.
Updated
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3.10am BST
03:10
The Met has opened a casualty bureau for those concerned about family and friends who might have been caught up in the attacks.
There are two numbers to call:
0800 096 1233
020 7158 0197
Updated
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3.05am BST
03:05
Police appeal for photos/videos from public
Police have asked people who were at the scene on London Bridge or in Borough Market to upload any pictures or videos they have taken to this police site.
3.02am BST
03:02
My colleague Kate Lyons has been talking to people trying to get home with transport disrupted in the wake of the attacks:
Some underground lines have reopened and people are unusually chatty on the tube.
James Wilesmith, who moved to London from Bournemouth six months ago, was out with Sarah Phillips celebrating her birthday when they got caught up in the events. The pair had seen the Lion King in the West End earlier in the evening before deciding to go for a drink at the Walkie Talkie building, overlooking the river.
“We looked out and were like ‘oh, look at all the pretty blue lights’ and then we realised, oh no,” said Wilesmith.
They got stuck at various cordons and it took them several hours from the time of the attack to make it to a tube station where trains were still running.
“I’ve lived in London for six months and there have been two attacks,” he said. “I mean, you still go on with your life, I still get the tube everyday, but it hits home.”
2.55am BST
02:55
Footage posted by journalist Kaine Pieri shows police officers clearing the area around London Bridge station in the wake of the attack:
2.51am BST
02:51
A statement from the US state department has condemned the attack:
The United States condemns the cowardly attacks targeting innocent civilians in London this evening. We understand UK police are currently treating these as terrorist incidents. The United States stands ready to provide any assistance authorities in the United Kingdom may request.
Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish a full and quick recovery to those injured in the attacks. All Americans stand in solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom.
2.45am BST2.45am BST
02:4502:45
Amber Rudd, the home secretary, has called the night’s incidents “a horrific attack in the heart of our capital city”.Amber Rudd, the home secretary, has called the night’s incidents “a horrific attack in the heart of our capital city”.
She added:She added:
My thoughts are with the victims and all of those affected.My thoughts are with the victims and all of those affected.
Rudd said she was “extremely proud of our emergency services” for their response to the attacks.Rudd said she was “extremely proud of our emergency services” for their response to the attacks.
2.37am BST2.37am BST
02:3702:37
At least 20 people taken to hospitalsAt least 20 people taken to hospitals
London Ambulance Service says it has taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London:London Ambulance Service says it has taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London:
We can confirm we have taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London following the incident at London Bridge.We can confirm we have taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London following the incident at London Bridge.
We have also treated a number of people at the scene for less serious injuries.We have also treated a number of people at the scene for less serious injuries.
We have declared a major incident and continue to work closely with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.We have declared a major incident and continue to work closely with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.
As we are very busy dealing with this incident, we would ask the public to only call us in a genuine emergency and to call NHS 111 for urgent healthcare advice.As we are very busy dealing with this incident, we would ask the public to only call us in a genuine emergency and to call NHS 111 for urgent healthcare advice.
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at 2.41am BSTat 2.41am BST
2.34am BST2.34am BST
02:3402:34
Owen Evans, 39, was in the Wheatsheaf pub on Stoney Street near Borough Market on Saturday night, with friends, when shooting broke out nearby:Owen Evans, 39, was in the Wheatsheaf pub on Stoney Street near Borough Market on Saturday night, with friends, when shooting broke out nearby:
I was in the back of the pub. A wave of about 30 people ran in and tried to get into the cellar or cupboard. Then there were shots outside. They didn’t seem real – like a kid letting off firecrackers. We saw police lights and everyone got down under a table. People turned tables over.I was in the back of the pub. A wave of about 30 people ran in and tried to get into the cellar or cupboard. Then there were shots outside. They didn’t seem real – like a kid letting off firecrackers. We saw police lights and everyone got down under a table. People turned tables over.
We waited about 10 minutes or so, with several shots every couple of minutes. Someone at the front of the pub had been shot – it’s speculation but we thought it was by accident, there were bullet holes in the windows.We waited about 10 minutes or so, with several shots every couple of minutes. Someone at the front of the pub had been shot – it’s speculation but we thought it was by accident, there were bullet holes in the windows.
The people near the person called for a medic, shouting: ‘He’s fucking bleeding to death, we need a doctor.’ The bar staff were amazing, I think they locked the door so no one got in.The people near the person called for a medic, shouting: ‘He’s fucking bleeding to death, we need a doctor.’ The bar staff were amazing, I think they locked the door so no one got in.
Then they told us to leave the pub and to run, and a policeman standing outside with a gun was shouting, ‘Go, get the fuck out.’ We ran down the street, turned left at the Market Porter, than ran down the road and away. We got to the South Bank and then waited ages for a tube, and eventually got home.Then they told us to leave the pub and to run, and a policeman standing outside with a gun was shouting, ‘Go, get the fuck out.’ We ran down the street, turned left at the Market Porter, than ran down the road and away. We got to the South Bank and then waited ages for a tube, and eventually got home.
2.28am BST2.28am BST
02:2802:28
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
The Metropolitan police have confirmed at least one armed officer had opened fire during the attack at Borough market.The Metropolitan police have confirmed at least one armed officer had opened fire during the attack at Borough market.
In information posted on Twitter, they said: “Armed officers responded and shots have been fired.”In information posted on Twitter, they said: “Armed officers responded and shots have been fired.”
The Met has not said whether the shots fired by their officer struck anyone or stopped a suspect.The Met has not said whether the shots fired by their officer struck anyone or stopped a suspect.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.34am BSTat 2.34am BST
2.20am BST2.20am BST
02:2002:20
Photo shows man 'with canisters strapped to body'Photo shows man 'with canisters strapped to body'
Pictures have been circulating showing a man on the ground; he appears to have canisters strapped to his body. The Guardian is not showing his face until his identity and connection to the incident has been established.Pictures have been circulating showing a man on the ground; he appears to have canisters strapped to his body. The Guardian is not showing his face until his identity and connection to the incident has been established.
The photo was taken by Gabriele Sciotto, a Juventus fan, who said he was on his way home after watching his team play in the Champions League final. “I had just been watching the football at The Sheaf pub and I left. I was trying to figure out which way to go home and I went the wrong way.”The photo was taken by Gabriele Sciotto, a Juventus fan, who said he was on his way home after watching his team play in the Champions League final. “I had just been watching the football at The Sheaf pub and I left. I was trying to figure out which way to go home and I went the wrong way.”
As he walked down Park Street he said a man came running towards him. “He was maybe 35. He was saying ‘run away, there’s a terrorist attack going on’. There were other people around and they started to run away.”As he walked down Park Street he said a man came running towards him. “He was maybe 35. He was saying ‘run away, there’s a terrorist attack going on’. There were other people around and they started to run away.”
Sciotto, a documentary maker, instead walked on:Sciotto, a documentary maker, instead walked on:
I’m a documentary maker. I was doing what I’m trained to do. It was dark, but behind him I could see three men at the other end of the street. They were about 20 metres away. It was quite confusing – it took me a few seconds to work out what was going on.I’m a documentary maker. I was doing what I’m trained to do. It was dark, but behind him I could see three men at the other end of the street. They were about 20 metres away. It was quite confusing – it took me a few seconds to work out what was going on.
Sciotto said he saw them run in the opposite direction into Borough Market:Sciotto said he saw them run in the opposite direction into Borough Market:
There was one policeman there, inside Borough Market. He was trying to scare them away. They ran towards me because the police officer was trying to chase them.There was one policeman there, inside Borough Market. He was trying to scare them away. They ran towards me because the police officer was trying to chase them.
The three men ran out of Borough Market and turned left into Stoney Street towards the Wheatsheaf pub:The three men ran out of Borough Market and turned left into Stoney Street towards the Wheatsheaf pub:
Suddenly lots and lots of police came from the other direction. There was a lot of shouting. ‘Stop, stop, get on the floor’, stuff like that. Then the police shot them.Suddenly lots and lots of police came from the other direction. There was a lot of shouting. ‘Stop, stop, get on the floor’, stuff like that. Then the police shot them.
The 25-year-old took pictures of the men after they had been shot, lying on the floor:The 25-year-old took pictures of the men after they had been shot, lying on the floor:
I could see one of them moving still. There was blood. I could see the police were scared. The policeman in Borough Market, he was trying to make sure that no one was hurt. He was trying to get them outside. The police reaction was very quick.I could see one of them moving still. There was blood. I could see the police were scared. The policeman in Borough Market, he was trying to make sure that no one was hurt. He was trying to get them outside. The police reaction was very quick.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.22am BSTat 2.22am BST
2.14am BST2.14am BST
02:1402:14
The Metropolitan police have issued a statement clarifying the timeline of events:The Metropolitan police have issued a statement clarifying the timeline of events:
From 22.08hrs [on] 3 June officers responded to reports of a vehicle in collision with pedestrians on London Bridge. Officers have then responded to reports of stabbings in Borough Market. Armed officers responded and shots have been fired. Officers subsequently responded to an incident in the Vauxhall area.From 22.08hrs [on] 3 June officers responded to reports of a vehicle in collision with pedestrians on London Bridge. Officers have then responded to reports of stabbings in Borough Market. Armed officers responded and shots have been fired. Officers subsequently responded to an incident in the Vauxhall area.
At 00.25hrs [on] 4 June the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market were declared as terrorist incidents. The incident at Vauxhall is a stabbing and is not believed connected to the other two incidents.At 00.25hrs [on] 4 June the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market were declared as terrorist incidents. The incident at Vauxhall is a stabbing and is not believed connected to the other two incidents.
We will release facts when we can – our info must be accurate. We urge the public to remain calm, but be alert and vigilant. To anyone near an incident our advice is RUN – HIDE – TELL.We will release facts when we can – our info must be accurate. We urge the public to remain calm, but be alert and vigilant. To anyone near an incident our advice is RUN – HIDE – TELL.
#Londonbridge #boroughmarket #vauxhall pic.twitter.com/a7OciBEBjH#Londonbridge #boroughmarket #vauxhall pic.twitter.com/a7OciBEBjH
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.19am BSTat 2.19am BST
2.08am BST2.08am BST
02:0802:08
My colleague Colin Blackstock has been speaking to witnesses close to the scene:My colleague Colin Blackstock has been speaking to witnesses close to the scene:
The police cordons made it difficult for people to get where they were going and a number of people staying in hotels in the area have been unable to return to their rooms.The police cordons made it difficult for people to get where they were going and a number of people staying in hotels in the area have been unable to return to their rooms.
Elaine and Louise from Lurgan in Northern Ireland had been to the Olympic stadium in Stratford to see Depeche Mode. They were staying at the Premier Inn on Bankside but have been unable to get back to their hotel.Elaine and Louise from Lurgan in Northern Ireland had been to the Olympic stadium in Stratford to see Depeche Mode. They were staying at the Premier Inn on Bankside but have been unable to get back to their hotel.
“We were at the concert when people started messaging us to ask us if we were OK because something had happened on London Bridge and they knew we were staying near there,” said Elaine. They were able to get a tube back to Southwark but found that the police cordon meant there was no way to get to their hotel.“We were at the concert when people started messaging us to ask us if we were OK because something had happened on London Bridge and they knew we were staying near there,” said Elaine. They were able to get a tube back to Southwark but found that the police cordon meant there was no way to get to their hotel.
“Now we’re stuck in London with nowhere to go and no sense of direction and sore feet,” Louise said. They had tried calling their hotel but there was no answer, so after an hour of walking around trying to find somewhere to stay they were going to another Premier inn at Tower Bridge to see if the hotel would put them up for the night.“Now we’re stuck in London with nowhere to go and no sense of direction and sore feet,” Louise said. They had tried calling their hotel but there was no answer, so after an hour of walking around trying to find somewhere to stay they were going to another Premier inn at Tower Bridge to see if the hotel would put them up for the night.
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at 2.14am BSTat 2.14am BST
2.03am BST2.03am BST
02:0302:03
1.59am BST1.59am BST
01:5901:59
An editor in the Sun’s London Bridge Street office says police confirmed that a number of blasts heard in the last 45 minutes were controlled explosions.An editor in the Sun’s London Bridge Street office says police confirmed that a number of blasts heard in the last 45 minutes were controlled explosions.
Just had confirmation explosions in London Bridge area are controlled and police monitoredJust had confirmation explosions in London Bridge area are controlled and police monitored
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.12am BSTat 2.12am BST
1.55am BST1.55am BST
01:5501:55
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
The attacks at London Bridge and Borough Market are the third suspected terrorist attack on the UK since March.The attacks at London Bridge and Borough Market are the third suspected terrorist attack on the UK since March.
The incidents come after 10 weeks of intense activity for counter-terrorism investigators, which before Saturday had seen two plots escape detection and lead to mass casualties, and five alleged attack plots thwarted.The incidents come after 10 weeks of intense activity for counter-terrorism investigators, which before Saturday had seen two plots escape detection and lead to mass casualties, and five alleged attack plots thwarted.
The first plot to kill was aimed at the Westminster area of central London on 22 March, when an attacker killed four people after mounting the pavement and mowing down pedestrians, before running into the Houses of Parliaments where a police officer was stabbed to death.The first plot to kill was aimed at the Westminster area of central London on 22 March, when an attacker killed four people after mounting the pavement and mowing down pedestrians, before running into the Houses of Parliaments where a police officer was stabbed to death.
After that attack, five further plots were disrupted with suspects detained, as well as four alleged conspiracies in London and one in Birmingham.After that attack, five further plots were disrupted with suspects detained, as well as four alleged conspiracies in London and one in Birmingham.
On 22 May, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured more than 100 at Manchester Arena after attacking a pop concert attended by many children and youngsters. The Manchester attacker, Salman Abedi, was feared to have co-conspirators and concerns they may be on the loose led to the UK’s terrorism threat level being raised to its maximum, amid fears another attack may have been imminent.On 22 May, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured more than 100 at Manchester Arena after attacking a pop concert attended by many children and youngsters. The Manchester attacker, Salman Abedi, was feared to have co-conspirators and concerns they may be on the loose led to the UK’s terrorism threat level being raised to its maximum, amid fears another attack may have been imminent.
The threat level was lowered to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely, last Saturday.The threat level was lowered to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely, last Saturday.
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at 1.59am BSTat 1.59am BST
1.50am BST1.50am BST
01:5001:50
Reports of further blasts close to London Bridge: three were heard about half an hour ago. It is not clear if these were controlled explosions deployed by the police. Scotland Yard has not yet commented on them.Reports of further blasts close to London Bridge: three were heard about half an hour ago. It is not clear if these were controlled explosions deployed by the police. Scotland Yard has not yet commented on them.
Another sound of a massive explosion coming from the direction of Borough Market.Another sound of a massive explosion coming from the direction of Borough Market.
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at 2.00am BSTat 2.00am BST
1.43am BST1.43am BST
01:4301:43
My colleague Chris Johnston is at the scene and has been speaking to witnesses:My colleague Chris Johnston is at the scene and has been speaking to witnesses:
Gerard Vowls, 47, had been watching the Champions League final at the Ship pub in Borough. He was at the start of the south side of London Bridge and saw a woman being stabbed by three men.Gerard Vowls, 47, had been watching the Champions League final at the Ship pub in Borough. He was at the start of the south side of London Bridge and saw a woman being stabbed by three men.
“I want to know if this girl is still alive,” he said. “I’ve been walking around for an hour and a half crying my eyes out. I don’t know what to do.”“I want to know if this girl is still alive,” he said. “I’ve been walking around for an hour and a half crying my eyes out. I don’t know what to do.”
Vowls said he was throwing chairs, glasses and bottles at the attackers in a bid to stop them. “They kept coming to try to stab me … they were stabbing everyone. Evil, evil people.”Vowls said he was throwing chairs, glasses and bottles at the attackers in a bid to stop them. “They kept coming to try to stab me … they were stabbing everyone. Evil, evil people.”
It took at least 10 minutes for armed police to reach the scene, he added.It took at least 10 minutes for armed police to reach the scene, he added.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.00am BSTat 2.00am BST