London Police shoot man after knife attack leaves several injured
LONDON : British police shot a man on Friday after a stabbing in the London Bridge area in the centre of the city that left a number of people hurt. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the incident is being “treated as though it is terrorism-related.”
Video clips on Twitter showed what appeared to be three police officers backing away from a man lying on the pavement. Two officers are pointing rifles at the man, who can be seen moving slightly. Several men were seen restraining another at the scene, according to a BBC reporter.
The U.K. is set to hold a general election on Dec. 12. The election campaign in 2017 was interrupted by terrorist attacks — including one on London Bridge. In June 2017 three militants drove a van into pedestrians on the bridge, and then attacked people in the surrounding area, killing eight people.
Assistant Police Commissioner Neil Basu said it had initially been feared the attacker was wearing a suicide vest, but this is now thought to have been a hoax vest. He said in a statement.
“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 we will get it to you.” Members of the police and emergency services arrive at Monument tube station following an incident on London Bridge on November 29, 2019.
Witness Kirsten Jones told the BBC she was on a bus going over the bridge which “came to a sudden stop because there were people running across the road.” “It looked like there was a fight going on, there were people tussling with one each other and then I realized it was police wrestling with one tall, bearded man.”
She heard “two loud pops and also saw a spent taser, and then the guy was lying on the floor. He then pulled his coat back which showed he had some sort of vest underneath … The police then moved backwards away quickly”.
London’s ambulance service said it had declared it a major incident and they had sent several crews to the scene.The bridge was locked down, as armed officers closed off the famous landmark and evacuated passers-by. Videos and photographs on Twitter showed several police cars and buses on the bridge and a truck straddling several lanes.
Members of the public walk away from the scene near Borough Market after a number of people are believed to have been injured after a stabbing at London Bridge, Members of the public are held behind a police cordon near London Bridge.
Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his thoughts were with those caught up in the “shocking” incident.“Shocking reports from London Bridge,” Corbyn said on Twitter. “My thoughts are with those caught up in the incident. Thank you to the police and emergency services who are responding.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said at the time, according to the BBC: “Substantial continues to indicate a high level of threat, and an attack might well occur without further warning. As ever, the public should remain vigilant and report any concerns they may have to the police.”Britain reviews its terror threat level every six months, the BBC reports.
(With Agency Inputs ).
