London Bridge terror attack: Police shot terrorist dead in central London
29 November 2019, 16:27 | Updated: 29 November 2019, 16:39
A man has been shot dead by the Metropolitan Police following a terror incident at London Bridge.
The Met say they are treating it as a terror-incident and warned anyone near the scene to follow the directions of any officer on the ground.
They say a number of people have been stabbed, but cannot confirm how many or how serious their injuries are.
Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu added that the suicide belt on the suspect is believed to be a hoax.
The Met Police wrote on Twitter: "Police were called at 1:58pm to a stabbing at premises near to London Bridge. Emergency services attended, including officers from the Met and City of London Police.
"A man has been detained by police. We believe a number of people have been injured.
Police statement: AC Neil Basu gives statement on #LondonBridge incident. 29.11.19 https://t.co/890GWzIVhJ
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 29, 2019
"At this stage, the circumstances relating to the incident at London Bridge remain unclear. However, as a precaution, we are currently responding to this incident as though it is terror-related.
"One man has been shot by police."
City of London Police added: "Please avoid the area at this current time."
The London Ambulance Service confirmed that they are responding to the incident.
They tweeted: "We have now declared a major incident and have a number of crews at the scene in London Bridge."
We have now declared a major incident and have a number of crews at the scene in London Bridge.
— London Ambulance Service (@Ldn_Ambulance) November 29, 2019
We will share more information as soon as we have it. https://t.co/ICwDVAgidE
An eyewitness who was walking across the bridge at the time told LBC that he was told by police to turn around and leave as quickly as possible.
"Within about 10 seconds, at first we heard a few bangs, you'd think it was a car backfiring, but there were about six or seven which could only be one thing.
"Then we heard a couple of other loud bangs that didn't sound like shots but were a bit louder.
"Everyone started panicking then."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated: “I want to thank the emergency services and members of the public for their immense bravery in responding to this suspected terrorist attack at London Bridge.
“This is an appalling incident and all my thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
This story is being updated.
