This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50604781

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
London Bridge: Two killed in stabbing attack London Bridge: Two killed in stabbing attack
(32 minutes later)
Two members of the public have died in a stabbing attack at London Bridge, in which police shot dead the suspect. Two members of the public have died and another three people were injured in a stabbing attack at London Bridge, the Met Police's commissioner has said.
A further three were injured in the attack - declared a terrorist incident - and are being treated in hospital. Cressida Dick told a press conference the stabbing attack, which has been declared a terrorist incident, began at an event at Fishmonger's Hall.
The suspect, who died at the scene, was wearing what is believed to have been a hoax explosive device, police said. Within five minutes of being called officers confronted the suspect - who was shot dead by police - she said.
Videos on social media appear to show passers-by holding down a man. An officer arrives, seems to indicate to the group to move, and fires a shot. The suspect was wearing what is thought to have been a hoax explosive device.
Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the attack began at Fishmonger's Hall on London Bridge, with police called to the incident just before 14:00. The BBC has spoken to people who were inside Fishmonger's Hall, where a criminal justice event was taking place.
BBC journalist John McManus, who was at the scene as it unfolded, said he had seen a struggle on the bridge, with several men restraining one man. Police then arrived quickly and a number of shots were fired at him, he said. Dozens of people were in attendance, including students from Cambridge University and former prisoners.
In footage shared on social media, the man could be seen being pinned down by members of the public. Another man in a suit could be seen running from him, having apparently retrieved a large knife. The university said it was "gravely concerned" about reports of its students and staff being caught up in the attack and was urgently seeking further information.
Earlier, Neil Basu, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, told a press conference: "A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from City of London police and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene." Ms Dick said police were working at "full tilt" to understand what had happened and whether anyone else was involved.
He added that a "wide cordon remains in place" following the incident. Officers were still working to identify the dead, she said.
Mr Basu said: "Officers continue to carry out extensive searches in the area to ensure there is no further threat to the public." Details of what happened are still emerging, but videos on social media appear to show passers-by holding down a man on London Bridge.
Another man in a suit could be seen running from him, having apparently retrieved a large knife.
Footage then shows an officer arriving, seeming to indicate to the group to move, and firing a shot.
The actions of the public have been widely praised, including by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Ms Dick, who said they had shown "extreme courage".
She added: "Ours is a great city because we embrace each other's differences.
"We must emerge stronger still from this tragedy. In doing that we will ensure that the few who seek to divide us will never, ever succeed."
There was no intelligence of anything about to happen, sources say, and police reacted to events as they unfolded.There was no intelligence of anything about to happen, sources say, and police reacted to events as they unfolded.
At the start of this month, the UK threat level was lowered from severe to substantial - reflecting an assessment from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre that an attack was likely rather than highly likely because of a relative decline in activity.At the start of this month, the UK threat level was lowered from severe to substantial - reflecting an assessment from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre that an attack was likely rather than highly likely because of a relative decline in activity.
The challenge for police and security services is that low-tech attacks - involving knives or vehicles - and often carried out by lone actors can be hard to spot in advance since they involve relatively little preparation and communication.The challenge for police and security services is that low-tech attacks - involving knives or vehicles - and often carried out by lone actors can be hard to spot in advance since they involve relatively little preparation and communication.
But in the wake of previous incidents in both the UK and other countries, police have been prepared for this kind of incident and seem to have been fast to intervene, taking few chances, although members of the public were also involved in restraining the individual.But in the wake of previous incidents in both the UK and other countries, police have been prepared for this kind of incident and seem to have been fast to intervene, taking few chances, although members of the public were also involved in restraining the individual.
The priority for police and MI5 now will be establishing the identity of the individual, whether he had any links or associations and whether there is any ongoing related threat.The priority for police and MI5 now will be establishing the identity of the individual, whether he had any links or associations and whether there is any ongoing related threat.
The man was wearing what is believed to be a hoax explosive device, Mr Basu said. Earlier, Neil Basu, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said the suspect was wearing what is believed to be a hoax explosive device.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said attackers wear fake suicide vests for a couple of reasons: To add to public panic and in some cases to ensure police shoot them dead.BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said attackers wear fake suicide vests for a couple of reasons: To add to public panic and in some cases to ensure police shoot them dead.
To some attackers, martyrdom is preferable to capture, trial and spending many years in prison, our correspondent added.To some attackers, martyrdom is preferable to capture, trial and spending many years in prison, our correspondent added.
Mr Basu said the force would have extra police patrols across the capital. Police have said cordons will remain in place and extra police patrols will be held across the capital.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who returned to Downing Street from his constituency, said the emergency services and members of the public who intervened "represent the very best of our country". Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who returned to Downing Street from his constituency, will convene a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee at 21:30.
He said: "This country will never be cowed or divided or intimidated by this sort of attack and our values, our British values, will prevail." He said the emergency services and members of the public who intervened "represent the very best of our country".
The prime minister will convene a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee at 21:30. "This country will never be cowed or divided or intimidated by this sort of attack and our values, our British values, will prevail," Mr Johnson added.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan thanked the members of the public who showed "breathtaking heroism" in running towards danger - "not knowing what confronted them".London Mayor Sadiq Khan thanked the members of the public who showed "breathtaking heroism" in running towards danger - "not knowing what confronted them".
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it has begun a mandatory investigation into the shooting.The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it has begun a mandatory investigation into the shooting.
London Bridge station and Tube has now reopened after it was earlier closed, Network Rail said.London Bridge station and Tube has now reopened after it was earlier closed, Network Rail said.
But trains may continue to be delayed, cancelled or revised while services are reinstated, it added.But trains may continue to be delayed, cancelled or revised while services are reinstated, it added.
Both the Conservatives and Labour say they have suspended election campaigning for the night following the attack.Both the Conservatives and Labour say they have suspended election campaigning for the night following the attack.
'Get off and run''Get off and run'
Witnesses have spoken to the BBC about what they saw.Witnesses have spoken to the BBC about what they saw.
Amanda Hunter, who was on a bus on London Bridge at the time, said: "All of a sudden [it] stopped and there was some commotion and I looked out the window and I just saw these three police officers going over to a man…Amanda Hunter, who was on a bus on London Bridge at the time, said: "All of a sudden [it] stopped and there was some commotion and I looked out the window and I just saw these three police officers going over to a man…
"It seemed like there was something in his hand, I'm not 100% sure. But then one of the police officers shot him.""It seemed like there was something in his hand, I'm not 100% sure. But then one of the police officers shot him."
Bus driver Mustafa Salih, 62, was travelling from Borough High Street towards London Bridge where he saw emergency vehicles and the police cordon.Bus driver Mustafa Salih, 62, was travelling from Borough High Street towards London Bridge where he saw emergency vehicles and the police cordon.
He told BBC London: "A police officer came up to me and said 'turn off your engine, get off and run'.He told BBC London: "A police officer came up to me and said 'turn off your engine, get off and run'.
"I looked up and I could see a crowd of people coming towards me."I looked up and I could see a crowd of people coming towards me.
"One woman was crying. I ran back down to Borough High Street. It was all very scary as we did not know what was happening.""One woman was crying. I ran back down to Borough High Street. It was all very scary as we did not know what was happening."
More from witnesses at the sceneMore from witnesses at the scene
London Bridge was the scene of another attack, on 3 June 2017, in which eight people were killed and many more injured.London Bridge was the scene of another attack, on 3 June 2017, in which eight people were killed and many more injured.
This latest attack comes after the UK's terrorism threat level was downgraded on 4 November from "severe" to "substantial", meaning that attacks were thought to be "likely" rather than "highly likely".This latest attack comes after the UK's terrorism threat level was downgraded on 4 November from "severe" to "substantial", meaning that attacks were thought to be "likely" rather than "highly likely".
The terror threat level is reviewed every six months by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, which makes recommendations independent of government.The terror threat level is reviewed every six months by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, which makes recommendations independent of government.
Did you witness what happened? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Did you witness what happened? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: