Westminster attack. London Police update on Parliament terror attack in London, UK

The man police believe to be responsible for the terrorist attack in Westminster yesterday, Wednesday, 22 March, has now been formally identified as Khalid Masood.

Masood, aged 52 (25.12.1964), was born in Kent and detectives believe he was most recently living in the West Midlands. Masood was also known by a number of aliases.

Masood was not the subject of any current investigations and there was no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack.

However, he was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.

His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.

He has not been convicted for any terrorism offences.

Anyone with any information about Masood can call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321.

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Police were called at approximately 14:40hrs on Wednesday, 22 March to reports of an incident in Westminster Bridge, SW1. It is being treated as a firearms incident.

Officers - including firearms officers - remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.

Investigators have now made a total of eight arrests as part of the ongoing Counter Terrorism operation.

We thank the public for their assistance.

Police are appealing for any members of the public who may have images or footage of the incident to send them to this address:

http://www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk

Police are asking people to avoid the following areas: Parliament Square; Whitehall; Westminster Bridge; Lambeth Bridge; Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube.

This is to allow the emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.

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At 07:45hrs on Thursday, 23 March, Mark Rowley, the national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and the Acting Deputy Commissioner, said:

“Good morning - I am here to update you on our ongoing counter terrorism operation following the horrific attack in Westminster.

“Greater clarity is now developing regarding the casualty figures as we have now collated information from the public and five hospitals - the latest figures I have are that there are currently four dead and 29 people were treated in hospital.

“We are still collating numbers of walking wounded and of those in hospital sadly 7 of them are in a critical condition.

“Tragically the deaths included PC Keith Palmer who was protecting Parliament, and two members of the public - a woman aged in her mid 40’s and a man aged in his mid 50’s.

“The fourth man of course was the terrorist who was shot dead by armed police at the scene.

“Hundreds of detectives have been working through the night and during that time I can confirm we have searched six addresses - and made seven arrests. The inquiries in Birmingham, London and other parts of the country continue.

“It is still our belief - which continues to be born out by our investigation - that this attacker acted alone yesterday and was inspired by international terrorism.

“To be explicit - at this stage, we have no specific information about further threats to the public.

“Clearly our investigation is ongoing - developing all the time - and is focused on his motivation, his preparation and associates.

“I do recognise that the media are making progress in identifying the attacker - I would continue to ask that his name is not published whilst we are at such a sensitive stage in our investigation - and as I state still conducting arrests and searches.

“The large and complicated crime scene remains in place and our work there continues - I would like to thank everyone for their support and patience as we finish this work.

“As people are out and about on the streets of the Capital this morning they will see more police officers on duty - armed and unarmed - and a mix of British Transport Police and the City of London.

“We have cancelled some leave and increased some duty hours and are working to make sure that we can out in force to reassure the public.

“We must not allow terrorists to create discord, distrust and fear.

“The police stand with all communities - later today a meeting of faith leaders will be held here at New Scotland Yard.

“Whilst our work to investigate and understand what happened yesterday continues with vigour - we must also reflect.

“I want to thank the public for their support and all their good wishes - I know it is appreciated by all those men and women who are out there today protecting us.

“Finally, I would also like to ask the public for their continued help and continued vigilance and if you see anything that causes you concern or raises your suspicions do not hesitate to call us - 0800 789 321 - or in an emergency 999.

“Thank you”

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Casualty Bureau is now open on 0800 056 0944 and 020 7158 0010.

If you are worried about family or friends involved in today's incident please call Casualty Bureau on either number listed above and choose Option 1.

If you were involved in today's incident and are safe, please call Casualty Bureau on either number listed above and choose Option 2.

Demand on Casualty Bureau will be high. Please keep trying. Staff at Casualty Bureau are working hard to speak to as many people as they can.

If you are safe please let friends and family know. This will relieve pressure on Casualty Bureau.

Casualty Bureau is not for general enquiries. Call 999 in an emergency only.

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At 22:30hrs on Wednesday, 22 March, Mark Rowley, the national lead for Counter Terrorism Policing and the Acting Deputy Commissioner, said:

"Today, in Westminster we saw tragic events unfold and our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, who were injured, and all those affected by this attack.

"One of those who died today was a police officer - PC Keith Palmer - a member of our Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.

"Keith - aged 48 - had 15 years' service and was a husband and a father.

"He was someone who left for work today expecting to return home at the end of his shift and he had every right to expect that would happen.

"I can also now confirm three members of the public also lost their lives in this attack. Specially trained family liaison officers will be deployed to support them.

"And I confirmed earlier, the suspected attacker was shot dead by an armed officer - therefore meaning we now have five people in total who have died.

"I will not comment at this stage on the identity of the attacker, but our working assumption that he was inspired by international terrorism.

"Also, at this stage, but it may change - we believe approximately 40 people were injured, some with serious injuries, including three police officers, two of whom are in a serious condition.

"Our investigation is continuing and is moving at a fast pace this evening - we will work through the night.

"We have hundreds of officers working on this investigation and they are focusing on the suspect's motivation, preparation and associates.

"We are forensically examining a complicated crime scene that covers a wide area.

"As with all investigations of this nature it will take us some time to work through painstakingly all the evidence. Only then will the full picture be known.

"Officers are taking statements from the hundreds of people who were nearby as today's attack unfolded.

"We are seizing CCTV and carrying out a fast-time examination of it.

"The lock down on Parliament has been lifted and we are working hard to reduce the areas we have cordoned off.

"I'd like to thank the public and Parliamentarians for their continued patience as we carry out detailed forensic examinations in the areas.

"The UK threat level has been at 'Severe' for some time and this level will not change.

"We have enhanced the scale of the policing operation to protect our communities across the country.

"As we continue to investigate today's horrific events we do want to reassure the public that police and partners are doing everything possible to protect them.

"As a precautionary measure over the next few days we have increased the number of officers on duty to provide a highly visible, reassurance presence - both armed and unarmed - across the country.

"This will continue for as long as is needed.

"Terrorists have a clear aim and that is to create discord, distrust and to create fear. The police stand with all communities in the UK and will take action against anyone who seeks to undermine society, especially where their crimes are motivated by hate.

"We must recognise now that our Muslim communities will feel anxious at this time given the past behaviour of the extreme right wing and we will continue to work with all community leaders in the coming days.

"It's essential for us to remain vigilant but to also work together - policing and communities - and unite against those who seek, through violence and extremism, to threaten, intimidate and cause fear.

"We ask the public to be alert and to report any suspicious activity to the police by calling 0800 789 321, or dialling 999.

"Whilst today is an incredibly sad and sombre day, especially for the MPS and everyone affected, it is only right that I mention the pride I feel in the swift and brave response from our officers - especially those who without fear for their own safety had to confront the terrorist."

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http://news.met.police.uk/news/latest-on-westminster-incident-229843