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London attacks: six people killed; three terror suspects shot dead by police – latest updates London attacks: six people killed; three terror suspects shot dead by police – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
4.26am BST
04:26
The White House has provided a readout of a telephone call between Donald Trump and Theresa May:
President Donald J Trump spoke with prime minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom today.
The president offered his condolences for the brutal terror attacks on June 3 in central London.
He praised the heroic response of police and other first responders and offered the full support of the United States government in investigating and bringing those responsible for these heinous acts to justice.
4.21am BST
04:21
Apart from the wounded British Transport Police officer, we have no details yet about the identities of those injured or killed – including the three suspects who were shot dead by police.
Peter Rhodes, London Ambulance Service’s assistant director of operations, said they had taken “over 30 patients to five hospitals across London … a number of other patients were treated for less serious injuries at the scene”.
Those worried about relatives or friends who might have been caught up in the attacks are encouraged to call the Metropolitan police casualty bureau:
0800 096 1233
020 7158 0197
Updated
at 4.22am BST
4.11am BST
04:11
British Transport Police has confirmed one of its on-duty officers was seriously injured in the attack.
The male officer was one of the first on the scene “after he responded to calls for help from the public”, BTP said.
His injuries – to his head, face and leg – are serious but not thought to be life-threatening. He is currently being treated in a central London hospital.
4.07am BST
04:07
Rowley, taking questions from reporters, clarified that police believe that only the three people shot dead by police were involved in the attack, but said enquiries were ongoing.
He did say that suspicions that explosives were involved – prompted by pictures showing what looked like canisters around a suspect’s chest – have “now been ruled out”.
4.03am BST
04:03
Police statement in full
Here is the statement from assistant commissioner Mark Rowley:
Since late yesterday evening [Saturday, 3 June], the Metropolitan Police Service has been responding to incidents in the London Bridge and Borough Market areas of south London. We are treating this as a terrorist incident and a full investigation is already underway, led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
You will understand that our knowledge of the incident is still growing but what we understand at the present time is:
At 22.08 yesterday evening we began to receive reports that a vehicle had struck pedestrians on London Bridge.
The vehicle continued to drive from London Bridge to Borough Market.
The suspects then left the vehicle and a number of people were stabbed, including an on-duty British Transport Police officer who was responding to the incident at London Bridge. He received serious but not life-threatening injuries. His family has been informed.
Armed officers responded very quickly and bravely, confronting three male suspects who were shot and killed in Borough Market. The suspects had been confronted and shot by the police within eight minutes of the first call. The suspects were wearing what looked like explosive vests but these were later established to be hoaxes.
At 22.08 yesterday evening we began to receive reports that a vehicle had struck pedestrians on London Bridge.
The vehicle continued to drive from London Bridge to Borough Market.
The suspects then left the vehicle and a number of people were stabbed, including an on-duty British Transport Police officer who was responding to the incident at London Bridge. He received serious but not life-threatening injuries. His family has been informed.
Armed officers responded very quickly and bravely, confronting three male suspects who were shot and killed in Borough Market. The suspects had been confronted and shot by the police within eight minutes of the first call. The suspects were wearing what looked like explosive vests but these were later established to be hoaxes.
The ongoing operation is led by the Met, working closely with British Transport Police, City of London Police, the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.
At this stage, we believe that six people have died in addition to the three attackers shot dead by police. And at least 20 casualties have been taken to six hospitals across London, but numbers are still rising.
I’d like to repeat our request for the public to avoid the following areas: London Bridge and Borough Market. This is to allow emergency services to deal with this incident.
The investigation is being led by the Counter Terrorism Command and we would ask anybody who has images or film of the incident to pass those to police by uploading it at www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk.
Our thoughts are with all those involved and those responding to both incidents. Those who are concerned about a loved one can contact the casualty bureau on 0800 0961 233.
We are reviewing and planning to strengthen our policing stance across London over the forthcoming days, and there will be additional police and officers deployed across the capital.
I would like to ask the public to remain vigilant and let us know if they see anything suspicious that causes them concern and dial 999 immediately.
Updated
at 4.04am BST
3.58am BST
03:58
Here are the key facts from that Metropolitan police update:
Six people have been killed in terror attacks on London Bridge and at Borough Market.
Three male suspects have been shot dead by police.
Canisters seen around the body of at least one of the suspects have been “established to be hoaxes”, police said.
Police believe all of those directly responsible for the attack have been killed.
3.54am BST3.54am BST
03:5403:54
Canisters on suspects' bodies 'were hoaxes'Canisters on suspects' bodies 'were hoaxes'
Mark Rowley, assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan police, has confirmed that the vehicle drove from London Bridge to Borough Market, hitting pedestrians on the bridge.Mark Rowley, assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan police, has confirmed that the vehicle drove from London Bridge to Borough Market, hitting pedestrians on the bridge.
There, he said, the suspects left the vehicle and stabbed a number of people, including an offduty police officer, who sustained serious injuries. There, he said, the suspects left the vehicle and stabbed a number of people, including an on-duty police officer, who sustained serious injuries.
Armed response officers confronted three male suspects, who were shot and killed.Armed response officers confronted three male suspects, who were shot and killed.
Rowley says the three suspects were shot within eight minutes of the first call to emergency services.Rowley says the three suspects were shot within eight minutes of the first call to emergency services.
He says the canisters, or vests, seen on the body of at least one suspect, have been “established to be hoaxes”.He says the canisters, or vests, seen on the body of at least one suspect, have been “established to be hoaxes”.
Updated
at 4.02am BST
3.50am BST3.50am BST
03:5003:50
Three male suspects shot dead by policeThree male suspects shot dead by police
Police confirm three male suspects were shot and killed by armed officers.Police confirm three male suspects were shot and killed by armed officers.
3.49am BST3.49am BST
03:4903:49
Six people killed in attackSix people killed in attack
Six people have been killed, the police have confirmed.Six people have been killed, the police have confirmed.
3.47am BST3.47am BST
03:4703:47
Lisa O'CarrollLisa O'Carroll
Police officers on the scene at Borough Market say the area will be closed for at least 24 hours. Dozens of fire rescue officers in hard hats and overalls are just leaving the scene.Police officers on the scene at Borough Market say the area will be closed for at least 24 hours. Dozens of fire rescue officers in hard hats and overalls are just leaving the scene.
Fire rescue teams leave Borough area. Police officer tells me it will be close for at least 24 hours pic.twitter.com/ar3vkpvUMOFire rescue teams leave Borough area. Police officer tells me it will be close for at least 24 hours pic.twitter.com/ar3vkpvUMO
Armed officers were protecting a hotel in central London where it is believed witnesses were taken after the incident. The receptionist said the hotel was a “crisis centre”, but could not tell how many had arrived from London Bridge.Armed officers were protecting a hotel in central London where it is believed witnesses were taken after the incident. The receptionist said the hotel was a “crisis centre”, but could not tell how many had arrived from London Bridge.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.47am BSTat 3.47am BST
3.35am BST3.35am BST
03:3503:35
Ariana Grande, whose concert in Manchester was the target of a terrorist attack less than two weeks ago, has tweeted her support for those caught up in tonight’s events:Ariana Grande, whose concert in Manchester was the target of a terrorist attack less than two weeks ago, has tweeted her support for those caught up in tonight’s events:
Praying for London ♡Praying for London ♡
Grande is due to lead a tribute concert in Manchester on Sunday evening to commemorate the 22 people killed and support the dozens who were injured.Grande is due to lead a tribute concert in Manchester on Sunday evening to commemorate the 22 people killed and support the dozens who were injured.
3.33am BST3.33am BST
03:3303:33
Amber Rudd: 'horrific attack in the heart of our capital'Amber Rudd: 'horrific attack in the heart of our capital'
Here is the full statement from the home secretary, Amber Rudd:Here is the full statement from the home secretary, Amber Rudd:
This was an horrific attack in the heart of our capital city, targeted at people enjoying their evening with friends and family.This was an horrific attack in the heart of our capital city, targeted at people enjoying their evening with friends and family.
My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this incident.My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this incident.
As ever, in difficult and traumatic circumstances, I am extremely proud of and thankful to our police and emergency services who responded so swiftly and those who will work tirelessly as the investigation into this appalling act continues.As ever, in difficult and traumatic circumstances, I am extremely proud of and thankful to our police and emergency services who responded so swiftly and those who will work tirelessly as the investigation into this appalling act continues.
3.28am BST
03:28
Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals, the closest to the site of the attacks, are on lockdown “to keep patients, relatives and staff safe”, they have reported, along with Evelina, a children’s hospital in south London.
London Ambulance Service has said at least 20 people have been taken to six hospitals across the capital.
Updated
at 3.31am BST
3.23am BST
03:23
Harun Khan, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, has issued a statement condemning the attacks on London:
I am appalled and angered by the terrorist attacks at London Bridge and Borough Market, in my home city. These acts of violence were truly shocking and I condemn them in the strongest terms.
Muslims everywhere are outraged and disgusted at these cowards who once again have destroyed the lives of our fellow Britons. That this should happen in this month of Ramadan, when many Muslims were praying and fasting only goes to show that these people respect neither life nor faith.
My prayers are with the victims and all those affected. I commend the work of our emergency services working hard to keep us safe and cope with the ensuing carnage. As ever, we urge everyone to assist the authorities so that these criminals can be apprehended and brought to justice.
(A reminder that we do not yet know the perpetrators of this attack and are awaiting further information from police on identities and motives.)
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
at 3.20am BST
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
at 3.20am BST
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 BST
02:45
Amber Rudd, the home secretary, has called the night’s incidents “a horrific attack in the heart of our capital city”.
She added:
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.
2.37am BST
02:37
At least 20 people taken to hospitals
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 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.
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.
Updated
at 2.41am BST