City on lockdown as cops step up patrols and ‘carry out meticulous searches’ after terror attack at London Bridge
COPS have bolstered security across London and parts of the city are on lockdown after a terrorist strapped a fake suicide vest to his body and stabbed several people.
Armed police will be patrolling the Tube and train network tonight and security has been stepped up elseswhere after the knifeman was wrestled to the ground by hero passers-by and shot by police following a stabbing rampage.
Two people were killed and at least 10 more injured in the shocking attack at London Bridge today. Security sources have said Islamic terrorism is a "key line of enquiry."
London Bridge and Borough market were the scene of a terror attack in 2017 in which eight victims were killed along with the three terrorists.
The area remains on lockdown while officers carry out "meticulous searches" to ensure there's "no outstanding threat to the public."
Buses and other vehicles have been abandoned on the bridge and a cordon stretching back towards Borough Market is in place.
Neil Basu, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said the force will be enhancing police patrols both in the City and across London.
He said: "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 our top priority. We will be enhancing police patrols both in the city and across London."
Meanwhile British Transport Police said there would be more officers on the transport network including firearms officers and other specialist teams.
Footage on social media appeared to show one man being pulled away by armed officers before the suspect was shot at point-blank range.
Another bystander could be seen carrying a large knife from the scene.
Mr Basu said the suspect was wearing a fake suicide vest.
Pictures from the scene showed a second large knife lying next to the suspect's body.
The Sun Online understands that 12 people have been injured in the attack.
Guy Lawrence, 48, said he saw a man running out of a building, believed to be Fishmongers' Hall, armed with two kitchen knives with 20cm blades.
He claimed one member of the public was seen running after the terrorist, one armed with a 6ft stick and another with a fire extinguisher.
He told The Times: "I saw all traffic stopped in front of me. I heard shooting — there was an attack. And I saw a guy on the floor. I heard two shots: bang, bang.
"Police were running towards us and they told us to get out and run."
Another witness said she saw "two or three people stabbed" at Fishmongers' Hall, saying: "One minor and the other two were proper bleeding.
"One of our colleagues is in the hospital with three stabs."
Witnesses recounted how they heard "five or six" gunshots ring out as cops swooped.
Amanda Hunter said she was on a bus when it came to a stop, saying: "There was a commotion and I looked over the window and I saw three police officers running over to a man who had something in his hand, I don’t know what.
"I saw a police officer shoot him.
"I saw a man and three police officers trying to put him on the ground and then I heard about three shots go into the man and then police officers went away from the suspect."
most read in news
Today's incident comes weeks after the UK's terrorism threat level was downgraded.
The threat level was lowered on November 4 to "substantial" from "severe", meaning attacks were thought to be "likely" rather than "highly likely".
