A British-born Muslim convert killed four people and injured at least 50 in London Wednesday after a car rammed into pedestrians and the attacker stabbed a policeman close to the Houses of Parliament.
24 March 2017
Three thousand five hundred witnesses have been contacted, according to police, including 1,000 on Westminster Bridge and 2,500 from Parliament.
Sixteen searches have been concluded with five continuing, according to police. The searches took place in the West Midlands and North West. Some 2,700 items have been seized including computer data.
Leslie Rhodes (75) was named by police as the fourth victim of the attack. From Streatham in South London, Rhodes died in hospital on Thursday night after life support was withdrawn as a result of injuries he sustained during the attack.
The three other victims of the attack were police officer Keith Palmer (48), teacher Aysha Frade (43) and US citizen Kurt Cochran (54).
Nine people are in custody following police raids in London and Birmingham, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations Mark Rowley told reporters at a press conference this morning.
Rowley said police were trying to establish if the attacker acted alone.
He revealed the birth name of the attacker, Khalid Masood, as Adrian Russell Ajao.
The death toll from Wednesday’s attack in London stands at five after a fourth victim of attacker Khalid Masood, who also died, was confirmed late Thursday.
READ MORE: Police confirm death of Westminster attacker’s 4th victim
Police identified British-born Masood, 52, yesterday as the attacker. Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attack which left around 40 people injured.
23 March 2017
A US government source told Reuters that the Westminster attacker, Khalid Masood, associated with people who had an interest in joining jihadist groups abroad.
"The people he was hanging out with did include people suspected of having an interest in travelling to join jihadi groups overseas, but the attacker himself never did so," the unnamed source said.
Police say a man injured in Wednesday's Westminster terrorist attack has died. London’s Metropolitan police confirmed that a 75-year-old man died after his life support was withdrawn.
This brings to four the number of people who have died in the attack by Khalid Masood.
READ MORE: Police confirm death of Westminster attacker’s 4th victim
Westminster police have confirmed via Twitter that a package was found but said it “was not suspicious” and that all cordons are being lifted.
London police say they’re looking into a suspect package found near Buckingham Palace, which is located close to the scene of Wednesday’s terrorist attack in Westminster.
Police have released a statement regarding the arrests made Thursday. Authorities continue to search a number of properties but have concluded searches at addresses in Brighton and southeast London.
A 39-year-old woman was arrested at an address in east London.
Overnight in Birmingham, a total of six people between the ages of 21 and 28 were arrested at two separate locations while a 58-year-old man was also arrested at a separate address in the city this morning.
All suspects were arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
The Met added that the investigation into the terrorist attack “continues to develop at a fast pace and involves hundreds of detectives.”
Acting Commissioner of the Met Police Craig Mackey, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan addressed the crowd of hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Square.
"Terrorists have tried to tear us apart before...They have never succeeded and they never will," Mackey said.
The Home Secretary said: "We are all connected and today we showed that by coming together, by going to work, by getting about our normal business, because the terrorists will not defeat us. We will defeat them.”
"We stand up for our values and we show the world we are the greatest city in the world," Khan added.
Five people remain in critical condition, two have life-threatening injuries, Met police have confirmed.
Met Police have confirmed the identity of the US citizen who was a victim of the Westminster attack as 54-year-old Kurt Cochran.
A candlelit vigil is underway in London’s Trafalgar Square to honor the victims of Wednesday's terrorist attack.
London Metropolitan Police have said a total of eight people have been arrested in connection with Wednesday’s attack and are being detained on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks, according to Reuters.
Detectives are continuing to search a number of addresses linked to the attack - one in Wales, three in Birmingham and another in east London, Reuters reports.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson described the attack on London as an attack on the world.
During a visit to the United Nations in New York, Johnson told reporters that internet providers and social media companies have, "got to look at the stuff that's going up on their sites, they've got to take steps to invigilate it, to take it down where they can," according to Reuters.
King’s College Hospital, where some of the injured from the attack are being treated, has said that while two patients are still in critical condition, four are stable and another two have been discharged.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed support for the UK.
"We stand in solidarity with the UK, our friend and ally, against terrorism, the greatest threat to global peace and security," Erdogan stressed.
Westminster Bridge has re-opened a day after dozens of people were rammed by the terrorist suspect's SUV car.
The closest underground station to the scene of the attack, Westminster, is also now back up and running.
In a telegram to Prime Minister Theresa May, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “Terrorist attacks are becoming increasingly cunning and cynical.
“It is obvious that all members of the international community should join forces to stand up against the terrorist threat.”
Westminster terrorist attack will not hinder Brexit, PM spokesman says
The terrorist attack in Westminster will not delay the Brexit process, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said.
The government will push ahead with its plan to trigger Article 50 – the mechanism allowing May to officially kick-start the process to bring the UK out of the bloc – on March 29.
Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility for Wednesday's Westminster terrorist attack, reports Reuters, citing the AMAQ News Agency - considered the mouthpiece of ISIS.
"The perpetrator of the attacks yesterday in front of the British parliament in London is an Islamic State soldier and he carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of the coalition," Reuters reports the statement as reading.
The Scottish Parliament has postponed a vote calling for a new independence referendum until March 28, the day before British Prime Minister May is due to trigger article 50 which will begin the Brexit process, The Guardian reports.
The London Metropolitan Police has sought to reassure the citizens of London, by reiterating that there is an additional police presence throughout the city today.
“We have extra officers - both armed and unarmed - out in force on our streets to reassure Londoners,” The Met said in a tweet.
London football club Charlton Athletic have paid tribute to the fallen officer PC Keith Palmer, by laying a scarf in the club’s colors at the Valley stadium “on the seat which he occupied for many years.” Palmer was a season ticket holder at the club, according to Sky News.
Queen Elizabeth says her “thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy” are with all those who have been affected by yesterday’s “awful violence.”
A spokesman for Theresa May said the name of the attacker will be released as soon as they are able to do so. She gave no indication of when that time may be.
The car used in the attack was a rental, according to the BBC.
The rental company confirmed the car was rented from them but did not specify from which location, the BBC said.
Jeremy Corbyn described the attack as an “appalling atrocity,” warning the public not to “rush to judgment” but to wait for police to gather the facts.
Two of the three police officers injured on Westminster Bridge are still in a serious condition, according to May.
“As the House will know, 48-year-old PC Keith Palmer was killed... A husband and father killed doing a job he loved... His actions will never be forgotten,” May told Parliament.
“The threat level will not change in the light of yesterday’s attack,” May asserted.
“I can confirm that overnight the police searched six addresses and made eight arrests in Birmingham and London. It is still believed that this attacker acted alone and there is no reason to believe further attacks are planned.”
May said the injured include 12 Britons, 3 French, 2 Romanians, 4 South Koreans, 1 German, 1 Chinese, 1 Irish, 1 Italian, 1 American and 2 Greeks.
Speaking at the Houses of Parliament, Prime Minister Theresa May said “we are not afraid and our resolve will never waiver in the face of terrorism.”
“We know that democracy and the values it entails will always prevail.”
May described the attacker as a terrorist who “took out his rage indiscriminately” in an attack “on free people everywhere.”
The attack “sickened us all” said May, who added that she was limited by what she could say due to the ongoing investigation.
In a statement, MI5 Director General Andrew Parker described the attack as “appalling and disgusting.”
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our police colleagues, grieving their loss while also applauding the professional excellence of their response.”
“The security community prepares for such awful events - while working tirelessly to prevent them. The MI5 operational response is fully mobilized in support of the police.”
MI5’s operational response: is “fully mobilized” in support of London police following the attack, Reuters reported, citing the Press Association.
London police say they have now made a total of eight arrests as part of the counter-terrorism investigation following the attack, reported Reuters.
READ MORE: 8 arrests after UK Parliament terrorist attack – Scotland Yard
London football teams including Tottenham Hotspur and QPR have tweeted the hashtag #WeStandTogether following the incident.
The parents of three of the French students injured on Westminster Bridge are being flown to London on a government plane, reported Le Telegramme.
A mother of one of the injured told reporters the incident was described to her by a classmate of her son via text. "We saw the car hit the group. Twenty seconds more and it would have been us."
The injured are all reported to be boys with two in a serious condition. None are said to have life-threatening injuries.
Media outlets including Sky News and the Telegraph have named Aysha Frade as one of the victims. Sky News reported Frade, 43, worked as a Spanish language teacher and was returning from work when she was hit by the attacker’s car on Westminster Bridge.
A LinkedIn profile for Aysha Frade shows her as an administrator at DLD College, located within minutes’ walk of Westminster Bridge.
Craig Mackey, Acting Head of the London Police, said he will be attending a COBRA security committee meeting later this morning. Mackey, who was a witness to Wednesday's events, told reporters “We need the public's help.”
Westminster Tube station and several roads in the area remain closed. Tube passengers can interchange between Jubilee, District and Circle lines. Westminster Pier remains closed whilst London Eye Pier is now reopened for boat services.
MP Diane Abbott was amongst millions of commuters making their way to work across London this morning amidst a somber atmosphere at train and tube stations.
Theresa May is to give a statement to parliament on the Westminster attacked at 10:30 GMT.
The Mayor of London has invited the public to a vigil to be held for the victims at Trafalgar Square at 6pm today.
Vladimir Putin said the London attack underlined the need for pooling global efforts against terrorism.
In a letter sent to Theresa May he said “forces of terror are acting in an increasingly treacherous and cynical way,” reported AP.
“It's necessary to unite efforts of all members of international community to confront the terrorist threat,” he said, offering his condolences to the families of the victims and a quick recovery to the injured.
Police told reporters they know the identity of the attacker but have not made his name public yet.
Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations Mark Rowley told reporters that two of the dead were pedestrians, a woman in her 40s and a man in his 50s.
“London is going to work this morning. London has seen this before and is taking it on the chin,” he said.
“We’re not going to let this type of terrorism win.” Fallon said, speaking on BBC Radio.
UK Defence Minister Michael Fallon says the attack is assumed to be related to Islamic terrorism. Fallon said that security surrounding the Houses of Parliament will be reviewed following Wednesday’s incident, Reuters reports.
Four people have died following the attack, with 29 people injured. Seven are said to be in critical condition. Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations Mark Rowley told reporters there is currently no information on further threats to the public.
Seven suspects have been arrested following overnight raids in six different locations, Britain's top counter-terrorism officer has said.
“We have searched six addresses and made seven arrests. The inquiries in Birmingham and other parts of the country are continuing,” Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations Mark Rowley told reporters outside London’s police headquarters on Thursday.
UK police have made several arrests in a raid on a house in Birmingham as part of the ongoing investigation into Wednesday’s terrorist attack near Parliament that killed five, Sky News reported on Thursday, citing sources.
Donald Trump Jr., son of US President Donald Trump, has slammed London Mayor Sadiq Khan, referencing a remark Khan made in September that terror attacks had become “part and parcel of living in a big city.”
“You have to be kidding me?!” Trump Jr wrote on Twitter in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday’s London attack as he retweeted the story.
British MPs will not “allow any violent extremist who wants to undermine our democratic system to prevail over our desires to work with the public,” Labour/Co-op MP Adrian Bailey told RT’s Elsa Ali outside the parliament building.
“We have known there was always this risk and I think if you’re going to Parliament you accept that you are likely to be attacked at some time,” Bailey said, adding, “At the end of the day we are here to serve people and if that comes with degree of risk, then we accept it when we take the job.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged his full support to the British people, saying that he is “deeply saddened" by the terrorist attack.
“At this difficult moment, India stands with UK in the fight against terrorism,” he wrote on Twitter.
The North Greenwich station of the London Underground was evacuated and cordoned off by dozens of officers after police received a report of a suspicious package found there. Both Tube and bus links to the station were temporarily suspended, the Daily Express reported. The station has since been reopened.
Elsewhere, on Kennington Station in south London a brawl ended up in a stabbing, prompting a massive police presence and ambulances rushing to the scene. Early reports suggested that the incident was not considered terror-related.
The Queen has postponed her visit to Scotland Yard, where she was scheduled to attend an opening ceremony for the New Metropolitan Police headquarters, a royal spokesperson said.
"In light of today’s events, the decision has been taken to postpone the Queen’s engagement to New Scotland Yard tomorrow," the spokesperson said on Wednesday, adding that the visit will be rescheduled.
The headquarters are located next to Westminster Bridge and the parliament compound.
The Chinese Embassy in the UK has called on Chinese nationals to stay vigilant and avoid crowded public places in an alert to those residing, visiting or planning to come to the UK. It has stated that there have been no reports of Chinese citizens being injured in the attack.
Saudi Arabian Embassy in the UK has also issued an alert, urging Saudi citizens to avoid public places and take security precautions in light of the terrorist attack.
Police have said they are lifting cordons from the roads leading to Westminster Bridge. The cordons are being removed from Lambeth Palace Road, which runs between Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge, and York Road, between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Road.
Irish President Michael Higgins has conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and to those who have been injured as a result of Wednesday’s “terrible attack,” stating that he would forward formal letters to the Queen and London’s mayor to “express the sympathy, condolences and solidarity of the Irish people with our neighbors at this difficult time.”
22 March 2017
In solidarity with Britain, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced that the Eiffel tower would turn off its trademark lights at midnight local time (23:00 GMT). Three French teenagers were among the 40 injured during Wednesday's terrorist attack.
In light of Wednesday’s attack, a number of hashtags have begun trending with the resounding message being one of solidarity with those in the stricken English capital.
In addition to the known Romanian and French citizens who were injured during Wednesday’s attack, it has now been confirmed that five South Korean tourists are among the injured. One of them, a 67-year-old woman, has been seriously injured, according to the Yonhap news agency.
Metropolitan Police have released the full statement from the recent press conference delivered by Mark Rowley. “At this stage - but it may change, we believe approximately 40 people were injured - including three police officers, two of whom are in a serious condition.”
“I will not comment at this stage on the identity of the attacker - but our working assumption [is] that he was inspired by international terrorism.”
Another eyewitness, Steve, told RT he saw a body floating face-down in the Thames.
“I was just on the middle of the bridge when suddenly everyone started screaming. At first, I just thought that someone had been in an accident, but then I saw a body on the other side of the road. There was another body a little bit further up, and I looked over the side of the bridge and there was a body floating face-down in the water.”
“At that point we realized something bad had happened and we tried to stop people coming onto the bridge.”
“We think we know who the attacker is,” Acting Deputy Commissioner and national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing Mark Rowley said. However, he stated that authorities were not willing to divulge the assailant’s name at this time, though they did admit that “Islamic terrorism is our assumption."
Rowley expressed the pride he felt in his officers and their actions Wednesday.
"It is an incredibly sad and sombre day and only right I mention the pride I feel in our officers' swift and brave response," he said.
UK police have confirmed that five people have now died as a result of Wednesday’s attack and 40 people have been injured, including three police officers.
The flag at No. 10 Downing Street has been lowered to half mast in honor of the victims of today’s attack.
A visit by the Queen to New Scotland Yard tomorrow to open the Met’s new headquarters has been postponed in the wake of the Westminster attack.
“In light of today's events the decision has been taken to postpone The Queen’s engagement to New Scotland Yard tomorrow. The visit will be rearranged for a later date,” the statement read, according to ITV.
London Metropolitan Police have reiterated that “following the events in Westminster,” there will be extra police officers “both armed & unarmed” out on the streets.
Terrifying footage has emerged of the police evacuation of civilians following Tuesday’s attack.
One police officer can be heard shouting “Keep going, keep going! I need you all to go!” while one passerby is heard asking “Is this a terrorist attack?”
“The values our parliament represents democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law command the admiration and respect of free people everywhere. That is why it is a target for those who reject those values,” May said.
“But let me make it clear today, as I have cause to do before any attempt to defeat those values through violence and terror is doomed to failure.”
“We will all move forward together, never giving in to terror.”
May said that the country’s threat level remains at severe, describing the first responders who attended to the scene as “exceptional men and women” who “ran towards the danger even as they encouraged others to move the other way.”
“The location was no accident; the terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our city where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech,” May said in a speech outside 10 Downing Street.
British Prime Minister Theresa May, fresh from chairing the emergency security Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR), described the attack as “sick and depraved.”
Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron has described the attack as “an assault on democracy.”
“People talk about this being an assault on democracy, and attack on democracy, Yes it is, actually it was an attack on a hard-working copper doing his best to keep us safe - and I know up to a dozen utterly innocent people who were just going about their business."
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is the latest international figure to condemn the attack saying: "My thoughts are with London. Together we will never cease to prove that love triumphs over hate, tolerance over fear."
“Today marks one year since the people of Brussels and Belgium suffered a similar pain and felt the support of your sympathy and solidarity. At this emotional time, we at the European Commission can only send that sympathy back twofold,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
Kamal Alam, a Syrian military analyst whose office isn’t far from where the attack took place, spoke with RT.
“I thought it’s just some kind of school drill, but within a few seconds heard what sounded like gunshots and a lot of screaming, and all of a sudden there [were] dozens of armed policemen telling everyone to run away from Parliament Square and Westminster Tube Station,” he told RT.
“They were very calm but there was a lot of shouting going on, they were definitely on alert to shoot someone, and at that point I thought something was wrong as they told everyone to get down, and the British police never panic so when you see the British police you know something’s wrong because they’re not famous for that!”
The London Ambulance Service has released an updated statement saying they have treated 12 patients for serious injuries and a further eight for less serious injuries at the scene. They added that three people also died at the scene.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has condemned the London attack, saying the UK’s NATO allies stand in solidarity with the country.
Channel 4 News have admitted “doubt” over the identity of the attacker. The channel named Abu Izzadeen, also known as Trevor Brooks, as the attacker who was shot dead by police.
Reports have now emerged that Izzadeen is still serving jail time.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has issued a video statement regarding today’s attack: “Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.”
“Our city remains one of the safest in the world,” Khan says. “London is the greatest city in the world and we stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life.”
Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy is the latest world leader to condemn the attacks and offer condolences to the British people.
"An execrable terrorist act like the one that took place today is a reminder that we face complex challenges for the security of our societies," said Rajoy in a transcript of a telegram sent to Theresa May, AP reports.
Metropolitan police at Scotland Yard have lowered their flag to half-mast “to mark the death of our officer & the other victims of this afternoon’s attack.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has issued a video statement following the attack in which he praised first responders and conveyed sympathies to those affected.
“I want to thank the police and security services who did so much,” Corbyn said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her shock at the attack:
"Although the background to these incidents still needs to be exactly clarified, I confirm on behalf of Germany and its citizens that we stand firmly and resolutely by Britain's side when it comes to fighting any kind of terrorism," she said in an email statement.
President Donald Trump has offered Theresa May the full cooperation and support of the United States in responding to the attack, the White House said in a statement.
Theresa May says her thoughts are with those killed or injured in the “appalling incident.”
"The thoughts of the PM and the government are with those killed and injured in this appalling incident, and with their families," the PM’s office said in a statement.
May will shortly chair the emergency security Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) meeting.
The UK parliament has confirmed that both the House of Lords and House of Commons will resume Thursday at their normal times.
Met Police have announced the opening of a “Casualty Bureau” to help “those who are worried about friends or family” following the incident.
The London Ambulance Service has expressed its solidarity with those affected by today’s attack.
Amber Rudd, the British Home Secretary, tweeted to say: “the whole country will be thinking of & praying for those affected this terrible incident.”
“Our top priority is people’s security,” she added.
Canning Town rail station has reopened after security alert, British Transport Police have announced.
Reuters reports a European government official as saying that UK investigators are considering the possibility that today’s attack was inspired by Islamic State propaganda.
Speaking to RT, Middle East analyst Dan Glazebrook says the attack was “unjustifiable” but that Britain’s foreign policy was at least partially to blame. “If you’re engaged in unleashing that kind of horror against other people,you will never be able to permanently immunize yourself against the consequences,” he said.
The three police officers injured on Westminster Bridge were returning from a commendation ceremony, Commissioner Rowley said.
Scotland Yard have confirmed four people were killed in the attack, including one police officer and an attacker.
“We currently believe there is only one attacker,” said Assistant Deputy Commissioner Rowley, national lead for Counter Terrorism at Scotland Yard in a statement.
At least one attacker hit pedestrians as a car was driven over Westminster Bridge causing several injuries including three police officers, they said.
Following the crash at least one man armed with a knife tried to enter parliament before being shot by police.
At least 20 people have been injured.
French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have expressed their condolences, reported AP.
"We are all concerned with terrorism," Hollande told reporters. "France, which has been struck so hard lately, knows what the British people are suffering today."
"I want to say for Germany and its citizens: we stand firmly and resolutely by Great Britain's side in the fight against all forms of terrorism,".
"We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference," Rex Tillerson said in a statement.
Children who were on a school trip to Westminster are being led out from parliament under heavy police escort.
Those waiting in Westminster Hall during the lockdown, reported to be numbered in their hundreds, have been told they are being kept there as witnesses for 60 to 90 minutes.
Donald Trump has spoken to Theresa May about the attack, reports Reuters. The US Department of Homeland Security is in close contact with its British counterpart.
Those waiting in Westminster Hall during the lockdown, reported to be numbered in their hundreds, have been told they are being kept there as witnesses for 60 to 90 minutes.
One of the dead is reported by Reuters, citing the BBC, to be a police officer.
Facebook has activated its Safety Check feature following the attack.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson condemns the “horrific acts of violence” in London in a statement. New York City Police has tightened security at British-linked locations in the city, it said in a press conference, reports Reuters.
The three French students injured in the attack are aged between 15 and 16, according to French officials.
Former PM David Cameron tweeted his condolences.
Reuters are reporting that police are currently looking for a second suspect in the Houses of Parliament. A BBC reporter says a witness described two assailants as being a “bald white man” and a “black man with goatee beard.”
Parliament has now been evacuated to Westminster Abbey.
A BBC journalist says two assailants are believed to have been in the vehicle that drove into pedestrians before crashing.
The current threat level in the UK does not look likely to be raised, reports the BBC. It currently sits at ‘Severe’. The highest level is ‘Critical’.
French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve confirms French students were among the injured in the attack.
Full statement from London Ambulance Services: “We have declared a major incident and our priority is to assess patients and ensure that they are treated and taken to hospital as soon as possible.”
A man taken to Accident and Emergency at St Thomas Hospital was flanked by heavily armed police, Sky News reports.
Three French upper school students are reported injured following the London incident, report French media.
A woman has been pulled alive from the River Thames following the incident. The Port of London Authority says she has serious injuries.
"We know there are a number of casualties, including police officers but at this stage we cannot confirm numbers or the nature of these injuries," Commander BJ Harrington told reporters.
"We received a number of different reports which included a person in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians and a man armed with a knife."
Acting Head of the Metropolitan Police Craig Mackey was at the scene. He is reported to be uninjured and is being treated as a “signifcant witness.”
Theresa May is reportedly back in Downing Street and is “monitoring the situation.” Later today she will chair an emergency security Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) meeting.
In a brief press conference a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police appealed to the public for any information on the attack. He did not speculate or comment further.
Reuters reports that police said its officers are amongst the casualties. London Ambulance Service says it treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge.
Metropolitan Police said,“There will be additional police officers deployed across the capital. Please remain vigilant.”
“Public safety is our top priority and we are reviewing our policing stance across #London,” read the tweet.
One of the deceased victims has been described as a female pedestrian by Colleen Anderson of St Thomas' Hospital.
Anderson said: "There were people across the bridge. There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic. Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life-changing injuries."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says the incident is being treated as a “terrorist attack until the police know otherwise.” Khan says he has spoken with the Acting Commissioner and that an urgent investigation is underway.
Two people have now been reported dead following the incident, reports Sky News.
A witness at the scene posted a video, saying “I was on Westminster when the loud bang happened. Saw a man run and shots fired at him. ‘Get down!’ Panic.”
She added: “I tried to check on the guy stuck under the car but couldn't get to him. Looked in really bad shape. I'm shaken up to say the least.”
The Welsh National Assembly has reportedly suspended proceedings following the incident.
Doug Weeks, terrorism expert at London Metropolitan University, tells RT the high security presence prevented the attack from being far worse.
“Given the location and the number of people at Westminster Bridge at any particular time ...I have to say this could have been significantly worse,” he said.
Police, including firearms officers are still on the scene.
The US State Department urges Americans to avoid the area of the incident in London. "We stand ready to assist in any way the U.K. authorities would find helpful," says spokesman Mark Toner.
The US Embassy in London has been closed following the incident.
The Scottish Parliament says it will increase security with immediate effect after the attack. Reuters reports there is no intelligence to suggest a specific threat to Scotland.
One person has been reported dead by the Press Association. Injuries sustained by people at the scene have been described as “catastrophic”, Reuters reports, citing a doctor at a central London hospital.
"As I looked across the bridge, onto the west pavement, for the whole length of the bridge from south to north, there were people lying on the ground," eyewitness Richard Tice tells RT. "I counted at least eight people clearly injured on the ground."
"Emergency personnel arrived incredibly quickly, including many people armed with machine guns... pretty dramatic and difficult scenes."
Conservative MP John Glen has also tweeted that he and his staff are safe.
“Thank you for everyone's messages, both myself and my staff are all safe in Parliament. My thoughts and prayers are with those injured.”
Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns MP has tweeted from parliament, saying “I am in Parliament, myself and team are safe. Thank you for messages. A”
MP for Southport John Hugh has just tweeted that he and his fellow MPs at the Houses of Parliament are not being allowed to leave. “Just been told we're not going anywhere anytime soon.”
Police have appealed to the public for photographs and videos of the incident.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has tweeted: “Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack, their families and friends.”
The Scottish Parliament has now suspended its sitting following the incident.
Police ask people to avoid several areas in the city following the incident, including Parliament Square, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge and Embankment.
Witness Rick Longley tells the Press Association he saw a man “plunging” a knife into a policeman after a car hit pedestrians before crashing. "I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw," he said.
London Ambulance Service’s asked people not to contact them unless it is an emergency given the pressure they are under with the incident.
US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation in London. During a brief appearance Trump said the attack was “big news”.
Conservative Party politician Grant Shapps tweeted that he heard four gunshots when walking through the House of Commons. Shapps says police responded instantly to the incident.
The Scottish Parliament has decided not to suspend its debate following the London incident.
Speaking to the BBC, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski says he saw at least five people lying on the ground after being “mown down” by a car.
Sikorski says he "heard what I thought was just a collision and then I looked through the window of the taxi and someone down, obviously in great distress. Then I saw a second person down, and I started filming, then I saw three more people down, one of them bleeding profusely."
Police say they are treating the attack as a terrorist incident.
Video from the scene shows Parliament Square cordoned off by police after shots were fired inside the grounds.