LATEST: At around 04:15hrs this morning (Monday, 5 June), officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command investigating the London Bridge terror attack entered two further addresses – one in Newham and another in Barking. A number of people have been detained and are currently being interviewed while searches are ongoing at both addresses.
Metropoloitian Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said last night: “We would like to thank the media for their continued support, restraint and understanding in not speculating as to who the suspects are in this fast moving investigation.
“I would like to assure them and the public that this is directly assisting the progression of the investigation and confirm we will release the identities of the three men directly responsible for the attacks on Saturday, 3 June, as soon as operationally possible.
“Officers have been working tirelessly to process the crime scenes and release the cordons. We are hopeful that some of the cordons around London Bridge station will be released during the course of tomorrow morning but consult TFL website before you set out on your journey’s into and around London tomorrow.
“The public can expect to see additional police – both armed and unarmed officers – across the Capital as you would expect in these circumstances. And our security and policing plans for events are being reviewed, the public will also see increased physical measures on London’s bridges to keep the public safe.”
Officers have made 12 arrests and are at present searching 4 properties.
[A] 38-year-old woman arrested at address 1 in Barking;
[B] 28-year-old man arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[C] 52-year-old man arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[D] 55-year-old man arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[E] 27-year-old man arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[F] 55-year-old man arrested at address 2 in Barking, who has since been released without charge;
[G] 49-year-old woman arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[H] 60-year-old woman arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[I] 19-year-old woman arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[J] 27-year-old female arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[K] 24-year-old female arrested at address 2 in Barking;
[L] 53-year-old woman arrested at address 2 in Barking;
There have been no arrests at two residential addresses in Newham, although a number of people have been spoken to.
During the arrest stage today no officers have deployed a TASER or a firearm.
All of those arrested have been detained under the Terrorism Act.
General election campaigning was put on hold yesterday as a mark of respect but will resume this morning.
Prime Minister Theresa May gave a statement in Downing Street yesterday: “Last night, our country fell victim to a brutal terrorist attack once again. As a result I have just chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency committee and I want to update you with the latest information about the attack.
“Shortly before 10:10 yesterday evening, the Metropolitan Police received reports that a white van had struck pedestrians on London Bridge. It continued to drive from London Bridge to Borough Market, where 3 terrorists left the van and attacked innocent and unarmed civilians with blades and knives.
“All 3 were wearing what appeared to be explosive vests, but the police have established that this clothing was fake and worn only to spread panic and fear.
“As so often in such serious situations, the police responded with great courage and great speed. Armed officers from the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police arrived at Borough Market within moments, and shot and killed the 3 suspects. The terrorists were confronted and shot by armed officers within 8 minutes of the police receiving the first emergency call.
“Seven people have died as a result of the attack, in addition to the 3 suspects shot dead by the police. Forty-eight people are being treated in several hospitals across London. Many have life-threatening conditions.
“On behalf of the people of London, and on behalf of the whole country, I want to thank and pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of the police and the emergency services – and the courage of members of the public who defended themselves and others from the attackers. And our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and with their friends, families and loved ones.
“This is, as we all know, the third terrorist attack Britain has experienced in the last 3 months. In March, a similar attack took place, just around the corner on Westminster Bridge. Two weeks ago, the Manchester Arena was attacked by a suicide bomber. And now London has been struck once more.
“And at the same time, the security and intelligence agencies and police have disrupted 5 credible plots since the Westminster attack in March.
“In terms of their planning and execution, the recent attacks are not connected. But we believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face, as terrorism breeds terrorism, and perpetrators are inspired to attack not only on the basis of carefully-constructed plots after years of planning and training – and not even as lone attackers radicalised online – but by copying one another and often using the crudest of means of attack.
“We cannot and must not pretend that things can continue as they are. Things need to change, and they need to change in 4 important ways.
“First, while the recent attacks are not connected by common networks, they are connected in one important sense. They are bound together by the single, evil ideology of Islamist extremism that preaches hatred, sows division, and promotes sectarianism. It is an ideology that claims our Western values of freedom, democracy and human rights are incompatible with the religion of Islam. It is an ideology that is a perversion of Islam and a perversion of the truth.
“Defeating this ideology is one of the great challenges of our time. But it cannot be defeated through military intervention alone. It will not be defeated through the maintenance of a permanent, defensive counter-terrorism operation, however skilful its leaders and practitioners. It will only be defeated when we turn people’s minds away from this violence – and make them understand that our values – pluralistic, British values – are superior to anything offered by the preachers and supporters of hate.
“Second, we cannot allow this ideology the safe space it needs to breed. Yet that is precisely what the internet – and the big companies that provide internet-based services – provide. We need to work with allied, democratic governments to reach international agreements that regulate cyberspace to prevent the spread of extremism and terrorist planning. And we need to do everything we can at home to reduce the risks of extremism online.
“Third, while we need to deprive the extremists of their safe spaces online, we must not forget about the safe spaces that continue to exist in the real world. Yes, that means taking military action to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. But it also means taking action here at home. While we have made significant progress in recent years, there is – to be frank – far too much tolerance of extremism in our country.
“So we need to become far more robust in identifying it and stamping it out – across the public sector and across society. That will require some difficult and often embarrassing conversations, but the whole of our country needs to come together to take on this extremism – and we need to live our lives not in a series of separated, segregated communities but as one truly United Kingdom.
“Fourth, we have a robust counter-terrorism strategy that has proved successful over many years. But as the nature of the threat we face becomes more complex, more fragmented, more hidden, especially online, the strategy needs to keep up. So in light of what we are learning about the changing threat, we need to review Britain’s counter-terrorism strategy to make sure the police and security services have all the powers they need.
“And if we need to increase the length of custodial sentences for terrorism-related offences, even apparently less serious offences, that is what we will do.
Since the emergence of the threat from Islamist-inspired terrorism, our country has made significant progress in disrupting plots and protecting the public. But it is time to say enough is enough. Everybody needs to go about their lives as they normally would. Our society should continue to function in accordance with our values. But when it comes to taking on extremism and terrorism, things need to change.
“As a mark of respect the 2 political parties have suspended our national campaigns for today. But violence can never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process. So those campaigns will resume in full tomorrow. And the general election will go ahead as planned on Thursday.
“As a country, our response must be as it has always been when we have been confronted by violence. We must come together, we must pull together, and united we will take on and defeat our enemies.”
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Committee yesterday following the terrorist attack in London.
At the meeting, the First Minister was updated on the latest situation:
- There is currently no indication of Scottish victims or intelligence of any specific threat to Scotland;
- Police Scotland will be active at relevant transport hubs and will work in partnership with the British Transport Police to ensure any potential witnesses who may be returning to Scotland are identified;
- Police Scotland is increasing its visibility including increasing the number of Armed Response Vehicles.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “My heartfelt sympathies – and those of everyone in Scotland – are with the families of those who lost their lives during last night’s despicable and cowardly terror attack.
“Our thoughts are also with those who sustained injuries. We wish all of them a full and speedy recovery.
“I also want to thank our emergency services. Last night we saw yet again the bravery, dedication, selflessness and professionalism of the police and of those who work in the NHS and fire service.
“This morning I was briefed by the deputy National Security Adviser and updated both on what is currently known about the attackers and also on the reasons for the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) decision to keep the security threat level, at this stage, at severe.
“I also chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Committee and received a full briefing from Police Scotland.
“At this point in time, we have no information to suggest that any of the victims of this attack are from Scotland – however, it is not yet possible to be definitive about that and we are liaising closely with relevant authorities in London as more information becomes available.
“Our police and health services have also offered any practical assistance to London that may be required.
“As was the case after the Manchester attack, the public can expect to see a more visible police presence, particularly in busy areas – this will include an increase in armed police.
“At what I know is an anxious time, my message to the public is to be vigilant, report anything of suspicion to the police – but otherwise continue to live your lives as normal.
“I have no doubt that – just as we saw after previous attacks, most recently the attack in Westminster – the people of London will pull together, in all of their diversity, and refuse to be cowed by acts of terrorism.”
The UK will observe a minute’s silence tomorrow (Tuesday 6 June 2017) at 11am in remembrance of those who lost their lives and all others affected by the attacks in London on Saturday night. The silence will be marked at all government buildings and other organisations may follow suit.
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