This article is from the source 'guardian' 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 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/may/22/police-respond-serious-incident-woolwich

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
One dead and two injured in 'serious incident' in Woolwich One dead and two injured in 'serious incident' in Woolwich
(35 minutes later)
One person has been killed during a "serious incident" close to the Woolwich military barracks today. One person has been killed during a "serious incident" close to the Woolwich military barracks. It is believed the person died after suffering injuries from a knife.
Armed police were called to the area and sources say a further two people have been injured. There were reports that the dead victim was attacked with a machete. Two people – who initial accounts suggest may have been involved in the incident – have been taken to hospital after it is believed they were shot by armed police.
The Metropolitan police were unable to say if their armed officers had opened fire, but eyewitness and other accounts suggest they did. There were reports that the dead victim was attacked with a machete or bladed instrument.
Chiefs at the Woolwich barracks were understood to be trying to account for military personnel, amid reports the dead person may have been connected to the military. The Woolwich and Greenwich MP, Nick Raynsford, said it was his understanding that one person, a serving soldier, was dead and the two alleged suspects were in a serious condition in hospital.
The incident happened 300-400 metres from the perimeter of Woolwich barracks, in south-east London.
Woolwich and Greenwich MP Nick Raynsford said it was his understanding that one person, a serving soldier, was dead and the two alleged suspects were in a serious condition in hospital.
A separate source told the Guardian that the initial version of events was that a man was attacked by two other people. Those suspects were then shot by armed police called to the scene.A separate source told the Guardian that the initial version of events was that a man was attacked by two other people. Those suspects were then shot by armed police called to the scene.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the shooting by police, which is standard in cases where officers open fire.
In a statement the IPCC said it had "been made aware by Metropolitan Police Service of an incident in Woolwich, south London. IPCC investigators have been deployed to the scene and to the post-incident process.The IPCC has declared this as an independent investigation."
Counter-terrorist sources said it was unclear at this stage whether this was a terrorist attack or criminality.
Chiefs at the Woolwich barracks were understood to be trying to account for military personnel, amid reports the dead person may have been connected to the military. The incident happened 300-400 metres from the perimeter of the barracks.
The initial account was confused, and various people claiming to be eyewitnesses posted accounts and pictures on Twitter.The initial account was confused, and various people claiming to be eyewitnesses posted accounts and pictures on Twitter.
At least one person is pictured lying on the ground, it is possible the social media site pictures show a total of three people lying on the ground.At least one person is pictured lying on the ground, it is possible the social media site pictures show a total of three people lying on the ground.
The Met said they had been called at 14.20 this afternoon. The Met said they had been called at 14.20.
Mr Raynsford said: "The incident occurred early afternoon. One individual is dead, two others are seriously injured and in hospital. Raynsford said: "The incident occurred early afternoon. One individual is dead, two others are seriously injured and in hospital.
"The circumstances causing the incident are not yet clear. It's been suggested it was the product of a road traffic accident, but that's pure speculation."The circumstances causing the incident are not yet clear. It's been suggested it was the product of a road traffic accident, but that's pure speculation.
"I'll be talking to everyone who is involved, we will be trying to do everything possible to try and ensure calm in the area. People will be very, very shocked."I'll be talking to everyone who is involved, we will be trying to do everything possible to try and ensure calm in the area. People will be very, very shocked.
"We think a serving soldier was the victim. We don't know the circumstances surrounding the incident."We think a serving soldier was the victim. We don't know the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"We do know a number of weapons have been seized. They include a gun, various knives, and a machete, apparently."We do know a number of weapons have been seized. They include a gun, various knives, and a machete, apparently.
"The police clearly had to take action in order to try and arrest these individuals.""The police clearly had to take action in order to try and arrest these individuals."
The Press Association news agency said a man wearing a Help for Heroes t-shirt was attacked with a machete-style knife and dumped in the street, quoting eyewitnesses at the scene. The Press Association news agency said a man wearing a Help for Heroes T-shirt was attacked with a machete-style knife and dumped in the street, quoting eyewitnesses at the scene.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.