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After London Attack, Prime Minister Says: ‘Enough Is Enough’ After London Attack, Prime Minister Says: ‘Enough Is Enough’
(35 minutes later)
For the third time in less than three months, Britain was reeling from a major terrorist attack after three knife-wielding assailants unleashed a horrifying, late-night assault on Saturday night, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens of others in the heart of London. LONDON — Declaring “enough is enough,” Prime Minister Theresa May vowed on Sunday a sweeping review of Britain’s counterterrorism strategy after three knife-wielding assailants unleashed an assault late Saturday night, the third major terrorist attack in the country in three months.
The attack came days before national elections this week and after Britain had downgraded the threat level to “severe” from “critical,” the highest category. Seven people were killed in the attack and dozens more injured as the men sped across London Bridge in a white van, ramming numerous pedestrians, before emerging with large hunting knives for a stabbing spree in Borough Market, a popular and crowded night spot.
On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Theresa May said that though this attack and the ones on Westminster Bridge and in Manchester were apparently not connected in terms of planning and execution, “We believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face, as terrorism breeds terrorism.” The assault came days before national elections this week and after the British government had downgraded the threat level to “severe” from “critical,” meaning that an attack was likely, but not imminent.
Terrorists are “copying one another and often using the crudest means of attack,” she said, noting that the police had disturbed five credible plots since the Manchester attack. “There is, to be frank, far too much tolerance of extremism in our country,” she said. On Sunday morning, Mrs. May’s Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party both announced they were suspending campaigning for parliamentary elections for a day, but that the voting would go ahead on Thursday as scheduled.
“We cannot, and must not, pretend that things can continue as they are,” the prime minister said, adding, “It is time to say ‘enough is enough.’ When it comes to tackling extremism and terrorism, things need to change.” Mrs. May broke campaigning to lead an emergency meeting of her security cabinet on Sunday morning. In a statement after the session, she said the government would ramp up its counterterrorism efforts to deal with Islamist radicalism at home and to try to reduce or eliminate “the safe spaces it needs to breed,” both on the internet and in British communities, in which she said radical recruiters work.
Her Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party both announced they were temporarily suspending campaigning for Thursday’s parliamentary elections. Mrs. May said, however, that the elections on Thursday would proceed. “Everybody needs to go about their lives as they normally would,” she said. “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.”
The government may extend the time of custodial sentences for terrorism suspects, but more needed to be done in binding communities together to combat what Mrs. May called “a perversion of Islam,” adding: “There is, to be frank, far too much tolerance of extremism in our country.”
She called for a global effort to “regulate cyberspace,” something that is likely to prove difficult, and said that the London and Manchester attacks did not appear to be connected.
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, issued his own strong condemnation of the attacks and suspended campaigning for the day. “We are all shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks in London,” he said in a statement. “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and the many who have been injured. Today, we will all grieve for their loss.”
Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, meanwhile, said the police had been dispersed across the city, as security would remain heightened throughout the week.Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, meanwhile, said the police had been dispersed across the city, as security would remain heightened throughout the week.
Mr. Khan, who described the incident as a “deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners,” said that some of the injured were in critical condition, raising the possibility that the death toll could rise. Mr. Khan, who described the assault as a “deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners,” said that some of the injured were in critical condition, raising the possibility that the death toll could rise. “We will never let these cowards win and we will never be cowed by terrorism,” he said.
“We are all shocked and horrified by the brutal attacks in London,” Jeremy Corbyn, Labour’s leader, said in a statement. “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have died and the many who have been injured. Today, we will all grieve for their loss.” The attack began shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday, in what quickly became a terrifying night in Central London, as the sirens of police cruisers and ambulances wailed into the early morning hours.
The attack occurred about 10 p.m. Saturday, in what quickly became a terrifying night in Central London as the sirens of police cruisers and ambulances wailed into the early morning hours. The police got their first emergency call at 10:08 p.m. and within eight minutes had shot and killed the three assailants, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Cressida Dick, said on Sunday morning. It was a remarkably rapid response that was bound to have saved many lives.
Witnesses and police officers described a white van roaring across London Bridge, jumping over the curb and plowing over shrieking pedestrians. The van eventually crashed into a railing, and three men jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the bars and restaurants at Borough Market. At least one of them began slashing at patrons with a large knife, witnesses said. Witnesses and police officers described a white van roaring across London Bridge, jumping over the curb and plowing over shrieking pedestrians. The van eventually crashed into a railing, and three men jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the bars and restaurants at Borough Market. The attackers, who had a machete and large knives, began slashing at patrons, witnesses said.
Heavily armed police officers responded to the bridge attack, and more officers rushed to investigate reports of stabbings at the market. The police shot and killed the three attackers there, within eight minutes of receiving the first emergency call, they said. Heavily armed police officers responded to the bridge attack, and more officers rushed to investigate reports of stabbings at the market. The police shot and killed the three attackers there. The three men were wearing what appeared to be canisters or suicide vests, but they were fake, the police said.
The men were wearing fake explosives vests, the authorities said. “Last night saw another appalling and tragic incident in London, something we hoped we would not see again,” Commissioner Dick said. She called on the public to remain calm and vigilant, and said that many people had risked their own safety to help others and to confront the attackers.
Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, it hit a nation still recovering from the shock of the bombing in Manchester almost two weeks ago, when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the doors of an Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-two people were killed, including many children. Though there has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, it hit a nation still recovering from the shock of the bombing in Manchester almost two weeks ago, when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the doors of an Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-two people were killed, including many children, and 116 were injured.
Ms. Grande is expected to return to Manchester with a star-powered lineup on Sunday night to pay tribute to the victims. Ms. Grande is expected to return to Manchester with a star-powered lineup on Sunday night to perform in a charity concert and pay tribute to the victims.
Saturday’s attack was reminiscent of another on Westminster Bridge on March 22, when Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians, killing four people. He then stabbed a police officer to death before being shot and killed near Parliament. The police treated that attack, in which 50 were injured, as “Islamist-related terrorism.”Saturday’s attack was reminiscent of another on Westminster Bridge on March 22, when Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians, killing four people. He then stabbed a police officer to death before being shot and killed near Parliament. The police treated that attack, in which 50 were injured, as “Islamist-related terrorism.”
The mood in London veered from shock to anger, especially late Saturday night into early Sunday morning as police raced to lock down the area around Borough Market, advising people to run, or hide and silence their cellphones as officers searched for other possible assailants. The mood in London veered from shock to anger, especially late Saturday night into early Sunday morning as police raced to lock down the area around Borough Market, advising people to run or hide, and to silence their cellphones as officers searched for other possible assailants.
There was panic that a third stabbing in the Vauxhall area about the same time as the assaults near the bridge might have been part of a coordinated attack, but the police later declared that incident unrelated. There was panic that a third stabbing in the Vauxhall area about the same time as the assaults near the bridge might have been part of a coordinated attack, but the police later declared that event unrelated.
The attacks came a few days before a snap election that has major implications for the country’s future outside the European Union. Across London, and Britain, there was a sense of fear that a way of life was under attack, but also a determination to carry on. Expressions of support poured in from Europe, the United States and beyond. In a media communiqué, President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed solidarity with the British people and described the attack as “horrendous and cowardly.”
The prime minister was expected to speak later on Sunday morning and also convene a meeting of the government emergency response committee, known as Cobra. “French citizens are amongst the victims,” he added. “France is doing everything it can to provide them with assistance.” As none of the victims were immediately identified, it was not clear if any were French citizens.
Expressions of support poured in from Europe, the United States and beyond. In a media communiqué, President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed solidarity with the British people and describing the attack as “horrendous and cowardly.” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia also said citizens of his nation were among the injured.
“French citizens are amongst the victims,” he added. “France is doing everything it can to provide them with assistance.” It was not clear if French citizens were killed in the attack.
The Australian leader also said citizens of his nation were among the injured.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany said, “We are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination.”Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany said, “We are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination.”
President Trump tweeted: “Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there — WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!”President Trump tweeted: “Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there — WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!”
A White House spokesman said Mr. Trump had been briefed by his national security aides on the unfolding events in London.A White House spokesman said Mr. Trump had been briefed by his national security aides on the unfolding events in London.
Mr. Trump also spoke with Mrs. May, offering his condolences for the attacks and praising the response of the police, White House officials said. He offered the full support of the United States government in investigating the attacks. Mr. Trump also spoke with Mrs. May, offering his condolences for the attacks and praising the response of the police, White House officials said. He offered the full support of the United States government in investigating the attacks. He also used the occasion to promote his targeted travel ban.
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who expressed condolences to Mrs. May, called the assault “shocking in its cruelty and cynicism,” according to the Kremlin. No motive has been ascribed to the attackers, but on the messaging app Telegram, members and supporters of the Islamic State shared a poster that calls for supporters to attack people with guns, knives and trucks during the holy month of Ramadan, which began last weekend.
The Metropolitan Police commissioner, Cressida Dick, announced on Sunday that the death toll had risen to seven.
No motive has been ascribed to the attackers, but on the messaging app Telegram, members and supporters of the Islamic State shared a poster that calls for supporters to attack people with guns, knives and trucks during the Holy Month of Ramadan, which began last weekend.
On Saturday night, ambulances rushed to the scene, people fled in panic, restaurants and hotels were evacuated, and helicopters flew overhead.
Witnesses described horrible scenes.
Holly Jones, a BBC reporter who was on the bridge when the van crashed, said it was driven by a man and was “probably traveling at about 50 miles an hour.” She said that at least five people were being treated for injuries after the vehicle drove on the sidewalk and hit them.
“He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people,” Ms. Jones said. “He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind.”
A witness, who identified himself as Andrew, said he was in the area at a bar, heard “a massive bang” and saw a van hitting the rail of the road.
“Next 10 seconds later, there was a guy with a big knife, I mean, a big knife,” he told LBC Radio.
Andrew said he jumped over a fence, got to a footpath and there was “a dead guy lying on the floor.” He hid for a few seconds in bushes nearby, then, he said, “I ran for my life.”
At the market, Ben, who did not give his last name, told the BBC that he and his wife, Natalie, saw someone being stabbed.
“I saw a man in red with quite a large blade — I don’t know the measurement, I guess maybe 10 inches,” Ben said. “He was stabbing a man. He stabbed him about three times fairly calmly.”
Ben added, “He was being stabbed quite coldly and he slumped to the ground.”
He then said someone threw a table and a bottle at the man with the knife, but “then we heard three gunshots and we ran.”
A man named Gerard told the BBC that he saw men stabbing everyone they could and shouting “this is for Allah.”
He saw three men with knives “and they stabbed a girl,” he said. “So I follow them, toward Borough Market, they were running into the pubs and bars and stabbing everyone. They were running up, saying this is for Allah, and they run up and stabbed this girl 10, maybe 15 times.”
Lorna Murray, 44, said she was about to drive over London Bridge when traffic stopped and people ran toward her car. “We ducked down in our car, assuming there was a stabbing,” she said. “Then this young couple started banging on the doors trying to get into our car for safety. We took them in but couldn’t let anyone else in because we had a baby in the back.”
The police told everyone to leave their cars and get away. “When I got out the car everything was a blur, but I saw a woman with blood all over her face,” she said.
Tim Hodge, 37, a security officer at a nearby office building on the south side of the bridge, described “huge crowds” running and screaming. “There was so much panic and so many of the people were drunk, which made them more hysterical,” he said.
Alex Shellum was in the Mudlark pub, underneath London Bridge, with his girlfriend. He told the BBC about an injured woman who came into the pub: “She was bleeding heavily from the neck. It appeared that her throat had been cut.”
Gabriele Sciotto, a photographer returning from a bar, saw the police confronting three men outside the Wheatsheaf bar on Stoney Street and ordering them to get down. Two of the men were shot by police, he said.
“They looked like they had some explosive belts,” Mr. Sciotto said. “The police didn’t know what was going on honestly. They shouted at them to go down, to stop moving. It was very chaotic.”
The police said the suspects were wearing what looked like explosive vests but they were later established to be hoaxes.
Mr. Sciotto took a photograph, which he later posted to Instagram, that appeared to show at least two men on the ground.
“At the moment these people were shot it was just me, the men and the police,” Mr. Sciotto said.