KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- Suspected knife attack being treated as a terror incident
- Suicide vest earlier reported by Eastlondonlines said to be “hoax explosive device“
- Suspect died at scene, two civilians killed, three injured
- Met police are encouraging people to avoid the London Bridge area and remain vigilant
- London Bridge and surrounding area on lockdown
UPDATE: 1:17
Update on London Bridge terror attack from Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu:
“The investigation into the attack near London Bridge continues at a pace.
“Whilst we are still in the early stages of the investigation, at this time we are not actively seeking anyone else in relation to the attack.
“However, we continue to make fast time enquiries to ensure that no other people were involved in this attack and that there is no outstanding threat to the public.
“As I stated earlier, police were called at 13:58hrs to a stabbing at premises near to London Bridge, EC1. Emergency services attended, including officers from the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police.
“A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers and I can confirm that he died at the scene.
“We are now in a position to confirm the identity of the suspect as 28-year-old Usman Khan (10.03.1991), who had been residing in the Staffordshire area. As a result, officers are, tonight, carrying out searches at an address in Staffordshire.
“This individual was known to authorities, having been convicted in 2012 for terrorism offences. He was released from prison in December 2018 on licence and clearly, a key line of enquiry now is to establish how he came to carry out this attack.
“Tragically, two people – a man and a woman – were killed during the attack. Three others – a man and two women – were also injured and remain in hospital.
“The circumstances, as we currently understand them, are that the attacker attended an event earlier on Friday afternoon at Fishmonger’s Hall called ‘Learning Together’. We believe that the attack began inside before he left the building and proceeded onto London Bridge, where he was detained and subsequently confronted and shot by armed officers.
“Extensive cordons are likely to remain in place for some time and I would ask the public to continue to avoid the area.
“Public safety is our top priority and we are enhancing police patrols in the City and across London.
“I would ask anyone with information, images or footage of the incident that this be shared with the investigation team on the UK Police Image appeal website https://ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk/.
“I would also appeal to anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation to call police, in confidence on 0800 789 321.
“The public should continue to remain vigilant and report any concerns they have to police. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and ACT by reporting to police, in confidence, at www.gov.uk/ACT.
“In an emergency always dial 999.”
UPDATE: 1:15
Suspect named by police as Usman Khan, 28, residing in the Staffordshire area.
UPDATE: 23:47
Suspect was known to police and had previously been convicted of a terrorism offence, according to BBC News.
UPDATE: 20:30
Full statement from Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick:
“I am deeply saddened and angered that our city has again been targeted by terrorism. It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must now inform you that, as well as the suspect who was shot dead by police, two of those injured in this attack in the London Bridge area have tragically lost their lives.
“My heart goes out to their loved ones and to the three further injured victims who I understand are being treated in hospital, and of course to everybody who has been affected by today’s terrible and mindless events.
“The attack started at Fishmonger’s Hall in the City of London. My understanding is that police were called at 13:58hrs and City of London police officers had bravely and professionally confronted the suspect by 14:03hrs, just five minutes later.
“If you are concerned about anyone who was there today please try to contact them and if you cannot, then get in touch with us.
“I want to thank all the emergency service personnel who are currently working tirelessly to deal with this incident, particularly the police officers from the Met and the City who have worked so closely together to protect the public.
“I also want to thank the members of the public who have helped, either by showing extraordinary courage by stepping in or by following the instructions they’ve been given by officers at the scene and in the area. This support from our public assists us more than you could know.
“In the coming days you will see more police, both armed and unarmed, patrolling our streets to help reassure those who are understandably concerned. Similarly our Counter Terrorism detectives will be working round the clock to identify those who have lost their lives, to support all the victims and their families. We are also working at full-tilt to understand exactly what has happened and whether anyone else was involved. For this reason we expect cordons to remain in place around the London Bridge area for some time.
“This afternoon I met with the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, and also had a meeting with the Mayor; I’m very grateful for all their support. Indeed, we have been working closely with the Government at every level, and just as closely with our partners across London. This will obviously continue in the coming days.
“This joint effort mustn’t stop with the authorities though. As you know we are treating this as a terrorist incident. Fighting terrorism takes effort and determination from all of us. If you have any information or concerns, please do contact us.
“The empty ideology of terror offers nothing but hatred and today I urge everyone to reject that. 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.”
UPDATE: 18:57
Statement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson:
UPDATE: 18:34
Two members of the public dead, BBC reports.
UPDATE: 18:03
UPDATE: 17:45
Police have told evacuated residents that they will have to stay elsewhere for the night.
UPDATE: 17:40
UPDATE: 17:27
British Transport Police are reporting that more officers, including firearms teams will be on duty throughout London this weekend.
UPDATE: 17:12
Heavy traffic:
- A3 between London Bridge and Borough closed both ways
- A3200 Southward Street – Southwark closed both ways
- A200 Tooley Street – Southward closed both ways
UPDATE: 17:00
According to the Guardian’s Vikram Dodd “The fatal shooting of the suspect will now be investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Under the law they have to examine all police shootings and they will investigate independently.”
UPDATE: 16:59
UPDATE: 16:56
Full statement from Assistant Commissioner for Special Operations Neil Basu:
“I can confirm that at approximately 2pm today Friday the 29th of November. Police were call to a stabbing at a premises near to London Bridge EC1. Emergency services attended including officers from the City of London police and the Metropolitan Police.
A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from the City of London police, and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene.
A number of other people received injuries during this incident. As soon as we can provide further updates on their condition we will. And our heartfelt sympathies go out to everybody who’s been involved in this and is anxiously waiting for information on their loved ones. As soon as we can get that information w will get it to you.
As you would expect due to the nature of the incident, we responded as though this was terrorist related. I’m now in a position to confirm that it has been declared a terrorist incident.
We are working jointly with the City of London police as we continue to respond.
Officers from the met counterterrorism command and now leading this investigation, but I must stress we retain an open mind as to any motive. It would be inappropriate to speculate further at this time.
Due to reports that the suspect may have had an explosive device, specialists offices also attended the scene and wide cordons are in place to ensure there remains no further danger to the public.
However, I can confirm at this time, we believe a device that was strapped to the body of the suspect is a hoax explosive device. Officers continue to carry out meticulous searches in the area to ensure there is no outstanding threat to the public.
Those extensive cordons will remain in place for a considerable time, and I would ask the public please continue to avoid the area. Public Safety is obviously our top priority. We will be enhancing police patrols both in the city and the country.
I would ask anyone with information, image or footage of the incident that can be shared with our investigations aim to do so on the UK police image appeal website.
I would also ask the public to continue to remain vigilant and report any concerns that they have to the police.
I’m not going to take questions at this time. The Prime Minister has asked for a personal briefing and I’ll be heading with the Commissioner of the Met to Downing Street immediately”
UPDATE: 16:54
UPDATE: 16:49
UPDATE: 16:43
London ambulance services have released a statement.
UPDATE: 16:37
Met counter-terror command now said to be leading the investigation.
UPDATE: 16:30
Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu says suspect died on the scene. Suicide vest has now been confirmed to be a “hoax explosive device.”
UPDATE: 16:28
Chief Reporter of The Times, Sean O’Neill, reports that suicide vest was fake.
BREAKING UPDATE: 16:26
UPDATE 16:23
TfL reporting that Borough Underground remains open; London Bridge station remains closed.
UPDATE: 16:24
Video circulated showing emergency services seen giving life-saving treatment to victim on the street.
UPDATE: 16:22
UPDATE: 16:21
An eyewitness told Eastlondonlines at the scene that people were being evacuated into Borough Market. The eyewitness said that an assailant ran into a restaurant and hid in the toilet. This is yet to be confirmed
UPDATE: 16:10
UPDATE: 16:06
UPDATE: 15:58
According to Sky News, Met police will make a statement at 16:00.
UPDATE: 15:55
UPDATE: 15:41
One person who is not the suspect has been reported dead.
UPDATE: 15:40
Michael Cahill, 23, an eyewitness at the scene was in Borough Market and said: “Within 10 seconds people ran past me screaming and I ended up hiding out in a fire escape with security and loads of random people. We walked out hearing it was at London Bridge thinking it was fine and then armed police came in and people started running again, they told us all to move but I heard others say get down to another group of people falling over each other and grabbing their kids and just running.”
UPDATE: 15:36
Friday 29 November 15:32:
A person has been shot and five are injured, with some in a serious condition after an attack on London Bridge where a suspect, said to be wearing a suicide vest, attacked members of the public with a knife.
At 2:00pm the Metropolitan Police were called to a stabbing in the area.
A source in the Met who will remain anonymous said the suspect was potentially wearing a suicide vest.
Footage circulating online appears to show members of the public involved in a physical struggle with the suspect before two shots are heard.
Ambulance teams are said to be on the scene.
Police have undertaken evacuations around the scene, while a cordon has been set up around Borough Market.
Offices in the surrounding area are said to be on lock down
More to follow:
