Two members of the public have died after an attack on London Bridge yesterday in which police also shot dead a man. The Met Police has declared the attack a terrorist incident.
The suspect, who died at the scene, was reported to be wearing a hoax explosive device. The attacker, who has been named by police as 28 year old Usman Khan, was out of prison on licence at the time of the attack, in which a man and a woman were killed and three others were injured.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, said last night: “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.”
+ Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation can call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency call 999.
Anyone who may have footage or images of the incident is asked to send them to the UK Police Image appeal website: www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk
Following the incident today, if you are concerned that a family member, friend or associate was involved you can call or send an online message to Casualty Bureau on:
0800 096 1233 / 0207 158 0197 or https://mipp.police.uk
In an update early this morning, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: “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.”
In a statement issued this morning, the Parole Board said: “We have every sympathy with those affected by the dreadful events that happened in London Bridge yesterday.
“Given the seriousness of this attack, it is understandable that there is speculation about the attacker’s release from prison.
“The Parole Board can confirm it had no involvement with the release of the individual identified as the attacker, who appears to have been released automatically on licence (as required by law), without ever being referred to the Board.”
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