Transcripts For BBCNEWS Breakfast 20170604

Dead three attackers. People should remain calm and vigilant and carrier on with their normal business. The threat level remains severe. The Prime Minister has left the Campaign Trail and returned to westminster. Shell hold a meeting of the governments Emergency Cobra Committee later this morning. On breakfast this morning well bring you the latest from the scene and keep you up to date with the investigation and reaction. Good morning from central london, where six people have been killed and several injured during the countrys second Terrorist Attack in less than two weeks. Officers responded to reports of a Vehicle Ploughing into pedestrians on London Bridge just after 10pm. Three men got out of the vehicle and started stabbing people on the bridge and at the nearby Borough Market. We will be keeping you up to date with the latest on the investigation. Counterterrorism Police Continue their work. The idiot has been cordoned off. The Prime Minister will attend a Cobra Meeting later today. The van crashed close to southwark cathedral, but the attack wasnt over. We saw the sun coming on the wrong side of the road, it was smashed on the front, just one headlight was working, and it was going pretty fast. We saw this one coming on the wrong side of the road. It was smashed on the front, just one headlight was working and some people tried to fight back, others only became aware of what was going on when the Police Arrived. Armed officers were there within eight minutes. And then this. The attackers were shot dead. One was wearing canisters taped to his body, not a suicide vest, say police, a hoax. In the early hours, the countrys Senior Counterterrorism Officer made a statement. Our knowledge of the incident is still growing, but at the moment, what we understand is as follows. At eight minutes past ten last night, we began to receive reports that a vehicle had struck pedestrians on London Bridge. The vehicle continued to drive to Borough Market. The suspects left the vehicle, attempting to stab a number of people, including an on duty British Transport Police officer who was responding to the incident. He received serious injuries, fortunately not life threatening. His family have been informed. Armed response officers responded quickly and bravely and confronted the three male suspects, who were shot and killed in Borough Market. A huge area of southwark has been cordoned off. Heavily armed officers have been carrying out checks. They need to be sure there are no other attackers, and that includes checking buildings like this one nearby. He car and knives used as weapons, like an attack on westminster, but this time it wasnt alone attack, a crippled man planned this and carried it out. People should remain calm and vigilant and carry on their normal business. The threat level remains at severe, assessed byjtac, terrorism experts. We all have to be vigilant. If you see anything suspicious, please report it to the authorities. Terrorists are constantly evolving to find new ways to attack us and police are also evolving to find new ways to keep us safe. Londoners will see an increased Police Presence today and over the next few days. No reason to be alarmed. One of the things well need to do is to make certain we are safe as we possibly can be. I am reassured that we are one of the safest Global Cities in the world but we always evolve and review ways to make certain that we may remain as safe as possible. Emergency services immediately reacted. Inhaling reports of immediate reaction, soon after the incident was reported at eight minutes past ten. Hospitals an area where put on lockdown, including saint thomas s hospital. Outside there is a correspondent, who can bring out the latest. Thats right, we arejust along bring out the latest. Thats right, we are just along the river, about a mile away. This hospital was one of three hospitals put on lockdown last night, as events were unfolding, and it wasnt certain what was going on. Hospitals were put on lockdown here, patients and relatives were kept inside for their safety. We know the latest from London Ambulances, they say they took 48 patients to hospitals across london last night. Five hospitals, some of those patients are being treated here this morning. We understand some of the patients are in a Critical Condition, others suffering some minor injuries. We know there was a huge response, in terms of the London Ambulances, who said 80 joubert medics. They had advanced trauma teams there. The Air Ambulance was on the scene, helping people injured at the scene, so as well as those 48, there would have been people cheated on London Bridge and Borough Market, but were lucky enough to be able to walk away. We know from British Transport Police, one of their officers was on duty last night and was responding to a call from a member of the public, and he got stabbed. He is not in a Critical Condition, but he is in hospital. That is the latest this morning. 48 people in hospital and six people died after last nights attacks. Thank you. Well keep you updated with our correspondence around the city. We have had many eyewitness reports, people who saw what was happening from Borough Market and London Bridge. Well keep you up to date with those. We can bring you a report from andy moore who has been speaking to some eyewitnesses. The sequence of events started with a hired white van, driving at speed across London Bridge. We saw this van coming on the wrong side of the road. It was smashed on the front, just one headlight was working and for it to be driving on the wrong side was quite weird. And it was going pretty fast. In my mind, i was thinking probably the brakes had failed, because it looked weirder and out of place. Weird and out of place. People fled in panic as three men got out of the van and started stabbing people in the busy pubs and restaurants. We just heard a commotion, you know, glasses smashing, tables and chairs being tipped over. High pitched screaming. Lots of screaming. According to several eyewitnesses, the suspects were shouting as they carried out their attack. Running up and going, this is for allah. When you first see, they were seeing, this is for allah. And they ran up and start stabbing this girl, i dont know how many times. Ten times, maybe 15 times. She was going, help me, help me. And i couldnt do anything. The evidence of these people who witnessed the attack will now be central to the Police Investigation into precisely what happened. We understand the Prime Minister has returned to london, head of a Cobra Meeting. We can go to the Downing Street where facts are being flown half mast. Our correspondent is there. The flags flying here in Downing Street at half mast. U nfortu nately, Downing Street at half mast. Unfortunately, in a very similar way that they did just race in two weeks ago after the man just had attacks. There will be a meeting with Lubomir Satka and Senior Security officials to discuss what has gone on over the last 24 hours, and the broader security situation. When the Cobra Committee met following the manchester attack, the threat level was raised to its highest level. It is at the moment wondering from that, so roger gower will be on procedures to be had about whether the threat level leads the race. 1000 armed forces and personnel were placed on The Streets Of London to bolster what the police were doing. No doubt conversations to be had on that as well. What we understand this morning is that campaigning in the General Election had been postponed by the conservatives. You said a few moments ago, about half an hourago, said a few moments ago, about half an hour ago, that the tories will not campaign nationally today, and that they will refuse a day goes on. We would expect some of the other Political Parties to follow suit, although they havent confirmed that will be the case. But we are just four days away from a General Election, so the timing of all of this couldnt be worse. There is no suggestion that the General Election itself will be postponed, but if the general Election Campaign does get back under way, it will certainly be rather muted. So far, we havent cared if the other Political Parties have said it they will postpone the campaign. With four days to go until the General Election, the timing couldnt be worse. A text coming in from ukip saying that they are discussing whether we will postpone the Election Campaign today. And going to hand back now. Its nearly two weeks since the attack on Manchester Arena and tonight thousands of music fans will head to the old trafford Cricket Ground for a concert in aid of the victims. The event will be headlined by Ariana Grande in herfirst performance since that night as Phillip Norton reports. Security was expected to be tight anyway, but i imagine its even tighter now. Yes, indeed. Throughout the last couple of hours, we see many Security Staff arriving for their shifts so loud. Ive been in there when the final preparations we re there when the final preparations were being made and security was incredibly tight. Anyone entering the site was body searched. Sniffer dogs checked vehicles who were bringing equipment in and out. The police have said they are confident in the security measures that are in place for this event. That is a roadblock just the of place for this event. That is a roadblockjust the of me down here. Those Road Closures are expected to increase throughout the day as we get nearer to the day as we get nearer to this concept. There are effectively putting in place A Ring Of Steel around this Cricket Ground. Police are also asking music fans coming tonight, some 50,000, not to come wearing their backpacks or rucksacks, because of the extra Security Checks that will be in place. It will take time if they all come of bags. There will be food and drink within the venue. This is a chance to show remembrance for the people who lost their lives in the attack at Ariana Grandes concert. Clearly tonight is overshadowed by the events in london and peoples thoughts will be there with those affected, including Ariana Grande, who has treated that she is praying for london. Youre watching bbc news. We are following the story of last night. Six people who have been killed in london. Three attackers have been shot dead by police. This isa have been shot dead by police. This is a Terror Attack in the London Bridge area of the capital and the Borough Market area. It is an area which is very popular with bars and Restau Ra Nts which is very popular with bars and restaurants particularly at that time of the evening. We have since heard from the police, who said armed officers were on the scene within just armed officers were on the Scene Withinjust Eight armed officers were on the scene within just eight minutes of those first reports. The three attackers we re first reports. The three attackers were shot dead. Weve also heard from the mayor of london this morning, telling us that more than 40 people, now approaching 48, some ina 40 people, now approaching 48, some in a Critical Condition. They are in hospital in london, but he tried to reassure his. He says hes confident that london remains the safest city the world. He said police are finding new ways to deal with this, but we will notice an increased Police Presence on the streets of the capital. Well have more than that for you in just a moment, but theres pause and take a moment, but theres pause and take a look at what the weather is doing this morning. Ben has the details. Quite a lot of rain in the forecast ahead, but today there will be spells of sunshine. So far this morning, showers gathering across Northern Ireland and scotland. One to the west of england. An area of cloud with more persistent rain moving in across South West England and wales. As this moves eastwards during the day, it will break up into showers. East anglia and the South East Steering driver a good pa rt South East Steering driver a good part of the day. This is how things are expected to look up for oclock this afternoon. Wales and the south west probably drying up by this stage is the showers move up into lincolnshire. East anglia and the far south east probably seeing driver a good part of the day. Not as many showers in northern england. For Northern Ireland and scotland, there will be quite a few showers. Not as many as there were yesterday. But they could be heavy and there could be the odd rumble of thunder. This evening, most of the showers will eventually fade away then we turn our ice west. Rain pushing in from Northern Ireland. Full back to the west, this line of wet weather, this will become a big player in our weather choosing to. Its really going to set in across wales in north west england. The rain in these areas is likely to fall four hour upon hour upon hour. That could put problems with Surface Water and perhaps localised flooding issues. It will also turn windy later in the day. East anglia and the south east probably largely dry. Sunny spells and heavy showers for Northern Ireland and scotland. The wet weather comes courtesy of a couple of different areas of low pressure. Quite a complex weather setup. This low pressure will drift up the eastern side of the country and then sets in across the north east of scotland. North eastern Scotland On Tuesday will see persistent heavy rain, which could cause issues with flooding. Elsewhere across the country, a blaster dj, feeling cool, with heavy downpours. Im here at London Bridge, just a few hundred meters away from where the two attacks took place shortly after ten p. M. Police cordons are still in place. You can see in the distance, Police Presence very heightened here this morning as the Counterterrorism Investigation continues. Well bring you lots of Eyewitness Accounts in reaction to the investigation. I can tell you that the Prime Minister has led the Campaign Trail, returned to london. She will be chairing a Cobra Committee meeting later today with senior Cabinet Ministers and she will also be making a statement at ten oclock this morning, which we will bring to you. Im joined by an eyewitness who was here in the area yesterday evening. Thanks for talking to us today. What did you see . I was on my Sightseeing Bus La St see . I was on my sightseeing bus last night. And we were coming on to London Bridge quite smoothly. I noticed a person lying on the pavement. There were two taxis, and our driver pavement. There were two taxis, and ourdriverand pavement. There were two taxis, and our driver and myself thought that maybe the person had been run over or had an accident, so we carried on slowly across the bridge, like we normally do. There we saw another person lying on the other side of the road, on the right side of the bus, and so we became a little bit concerned, because we were not quite sure what was going on. Then we saw another person, so by the time we got to the third person, i started to think that it might have been a gang related incident. Anyhow, we managed to move a bit further forward in the bus came to a stop, because the traffic had been stopped that time. I think i saw up to about six people lying on the pavement and on the street. I saw one person having cpr administered, it didnt look very good. I then attempted to call 999 and before i could get through to anyone, the police started arriving. I would think that we probably arrived within minutes of the incident, because there were no police there. There were people lying all over the place, but the police had not yet arrived. So we assumed it must have happened there and then. We saw people running up and then. We saw people running up andl and then. We saw people running up and i heard one Girl Screaming on the pavement, hes not breathing, hes not breathing. Then after a few minutes, someone came up to the bus tourin minutes, someone came up to the bus tour in their uniform and i dont know of that was a Police Officer or not, i cant remember, but they knocked on the door and they told us to move, they told us to run. Sol had to go upstairs and speak to our guests come over 70 of them from all over the world. And i told them that we had to evacuate the bus. They didnt panic, because the guy who was banging on the door, he kept on shouting, move, move, move, run, run, run. I was chatting to keep the people calm, but theyjust ran. We we re people calm, but theyjust ran. We were trying to go to the far end of the bridge with a monument is. We we re the bridge with a monument is. We were told to wait there. Most of the people on the bus disappeared. Then at one stage, when i was standing there, a Police Officer what pastors, he had a sniffer dog, so we we re pastors, he had a sniffer dog, so we were concerned that might be explosives or something to that effect around. Eventually, we left our bus on the bridge, and i would imagine it is still there as we speak. Thats all i can imagine it is still there as we speak. Thats alli can remember. Thats a very thorough account. John, thank you very much for your time in telling us what you saw. Weve been bringing you eyewitness accou nts weve been bringing you Eyewitness Accounts throughout the morning and we will bring you the latest on the investigation and how the Prime Minister is going to be reacting. Well be hearing a statement from her at ten oclock this morning. Then, back to you the studio. Just a reminder, the Met Police Have Set Upa just a reminder, the met police have set up a casualty bureau, so anyone with any concerns can call the number. For anyone who fears they might have friends and relatives caught up in it. I want to bring you some pictures, Becausejust To caught up in it. I want to bring you some pictures, because just to give you an idea of the chaos that ensued last night for people who were caught in those attacks. These are pictures from a bar and restaurant in the border area. You can clearly see police entering the premises and telling people to get down. This is one of the advisories, run, highs, tell. Police officer are telling people just to get down. It gives you a sense of how frightening this was for people caught up in your area. If you dont know the area, it is known for its Traditional Market during the day and phillips Railway Station popular with commuters by day, but at night, lots of bars and Restau Ra Nts, day, but at night, lots of bars and restaurants, very popular, likely to have been very busy at ten oclock last night. We know the first reports came in at eight minutes past ten last night. Police are telling us theyre Armed Response Officers were on the scene with just eight minutes. But eight minutes is a very long term if youre caught up in it. Fora a very long term if youre caught up in it. For a Police Officer chris is with us. When you see pictures like this, give us a sense of what the police were thinking. I touched on the run, hyde, tell advisory. Thats what you should do. Thats right. From the Police Officer perspective, going into a barwhere from the Police Officer perspective, going into a bar where people are having a nice night out, to try and keep that sense of control, yet to make sure they get the urgency. That they have to get down, which will reduce physical damage. Tell me what the police would have been thinking at this point. As we said, the first calls into the police at eight minutes past ten. They were there eight minutes later. Acting is quite quick. But those eight minutes are a lifetime if youre caught up in this. It is slow motion. Eight minutes will feel at eight hours we re minutes will feel at eight hours were people out there in that situation. The fact that they have runa mark situation. The fact that they have run a mark on the streets, committing atrocious injuries to people. 40 people have gone to hospital, six fatalities. This will have been pure chaos. The Police Office rs have been pure chaos. The Police Officers attending, to get a Sense Officers attending, to get a sense of calm and reason. There will be people with a lot of alcohol as well, trying to get them to see ration, will have caused great turmoil. People will be waking up this morning with a sense of trauma. That includes Police Officers. Lets talk about the reduction in the threat level. Is nearly two weeks since the bombing in manchester. Right after that, the Terror Threat level was raised to critical. It was then downgraded to severe. What do we know about wright was downgraded, and is this a big mess . We know about wright was downgraded, and is this a big mess7|j we know about wright was downgraded, and is this a big mess . I wouldnt say its a mess. Its a decision that has to be made. Teresa is very well advised by staff. Jtac is responsible for seeing, we need to reassure people that they can carry on their business and that we are still living in a free democracy. But its always there if we need to go back to it as a default. Were coming up now to the biggest week of the year, in terms of the General Election. If they do raise it, id be surprised if they reduce it again, but it will be a big step to raise it. Once youve done it, to ta ke raise it. Once youve done it, to take that step down again, especially as there have been three incidents in three months, it would bea incidents in three months, it would be a big decision. The mayor of london has been talking about how the police can respond to this. Its not as sophisticated attack, doesnt have any of the whole matter is the hallmarks of the manchester is tight. | the hallmarks of the manchester is tight. I was sitting in one of the big parks this week, also rendered Bya Big Parks this week, also rendered by A Ring Of Steel. But, i assume, is to stop people getting beagles into the park, where people are sunbathing are playing sports. A reliably to see that. That is a conversation to be had very quickly. I would suggest that well be using rolling roadblocks, which is a method the police use to stop people and do search very quickly. Our police are the best in the world. But for more permanent structures, such as the ball so, and then from the ground, yes, probably, but for more permanent structures, such as the ball so, and then from the ground, yes, probably, producer have to keep manchester, they will be looking at street furniture, Anti Terrorist obstruction, with lords. But whether that is put in position permanently, i think there will be a very decisive moment for making that decision, because youre basically saying to people, you are living within A Ring Of Steel and thats a very big thing. Thanks for your insight into all of that. I know youll stay with us and well talk more later. I mentioned the mayor of london, sadiq khan, he said he felt London Security services we re he felt London Security services were the best in the world. He said, im confident that london remains a safest city in the world, but warned that there will be an increased Police Presence on the streets of the capitalfor Police Presence on the streets of the capital for the next few days. Lets return now to central london. The increased Police Presence is very evident. The attacks took place yesterday evening. We will bring you the latest in the investigation and hear from the scene as well. We have been talking about eyewitnesses. We will bring you the recounts. Let us remind you of what has happened. Shortly after 10pm last night, there we re shortly after 10pm last night, there were reports of men in a Van Ploughing into people on London Bridge. Men left the van armed with knives and attacked people on the bridge. And also at nearby are market. A busy area full of Restau Ra Nts a nd bars market. A busy area full of restaurants and bars where people we re restaurants and bars where people were enjoying their lives on a saturday night. All three attackers we re saturday night. All three attackers were wearing fake Explosive Vests, they were shocked and attacked by they were shocked and attacked by the police. 48 have been taken to hospital. Andy moore has this report. Some viewers might find some of the images distressing. Just after ten oclock on the busy streets of london, police are responding to reports of an ongoing serious incident. Policeman clear the area now sirens. Whats happening . A white van has driven into pedestrians on London Bridge. When it stopped, its rear doors were flung open and several men ran out. They went into the busy pubs and restaurants around Borough Market stabbing people. They ran out going, this is for allah. When they first saw them, they said, this is for allah, and they stabbed this girl i dont know how many times. Ten times, maybe 15 times. She was going, help me, help me, but i couldnt do anything. Down, down this was the scene as armed police entered one bar. They need to know immediately if the attackers are still there. As people fled the area, they were told to put their hands on their heads. Again, in a confused situation, police need to tell the attackers from their victims. This image from the scene shows at least one of the attackers lying on the ground wearing what police have said was a fake explosive vest. In the background are other bodies. Armed response officers then responded very quickly and bravely and confronted the three male suspects who were shot and killed in Borough Market. The suspects had been confronted and shot by police within eight minutes of the first call. The London Ambulance service says at least 30 casualties have been taken to five different hospitals. One of those stabbed was a British Transport Police officer. His injuries are serious, but not life threatening. Andy moore, bbc news. We understand the Prime Minister has returned to london. We are expecting a statement from theresa may at 10am. The flags that Downing Street are at half mast. There will be a Cobra Committee meeting later today which will be chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by other senior Cabinet Ministers as they assess the threat level and the Security Operation that continues in the aftermath of the attack last night. A few hundred metres from where i am this morning. Joining me now is the former Assistant Commissioner, with me all morning. Thank you very much. Let us talk about the security situation. An intense presence here, increased presence, a few hundred metres from where the attack took place. As the mayor, sadiq khan, has said, there will be more police on the streets to provide a visible reassurance to people, but at the scene, they will be going through an extensive friends at examination and trying to establish as quickly as possible who the perpetrators are, who the associates may be. And extensive forensic examination. The response of the Emergency Services has been rightly praised last night. What kind of contingencies are in place as the threat level is at critical . There is a constant presence of a large number of armed response vehicles in london. They can respond very quickly to this sort of incident and that is what we saw last night. Within eight minutes, there were armed officers on the scene taking control of the situation. When everyone else was running away, these brave officers went into that very dangerous situation, had to make A Split Second decision about what to do and we should all be very grateful we have officers like that looking after us. The three men were shot by armed officers. We have reports they were wearing fake explosives suicide vests, almost. What would armed officers be trained to do in that situation . In that situation where you have got what appears to be a suicide bomber, clearly the protection of the public is paramount and therefore to kill that person and to neutralise that person, before they can detonate any explosive, that is what those officers would be trained to do. What is the advice now to people who wa nt to what is the advice now to people who want to carry on with their lives . We heard from sadiq khan, we will not be cowed in london by terrorists. What should people be thinking about today . There have been three recent attacks in london, one of them was stopped before anybody was hurt at all, and the chances of being hurt or killed in a Terrorist Incident are very, very small compared with, for example, being involved in a car crash or a car accident. People should get things into perspective. It is still a very safe city. But we have to be aware, we have to be aware of what is going on around us to make sure that we stay out of danger. Thank you very much for talking to us. We will bring new Eyewitness Accounts as well. Mark easton has been speaking to two people who live above are market and saw the events unfold. Ten past ten, we were just watching a film, windows wide open we just heard commotion. Glass smashing, tables and chairs being tipped over. Screaming. Lots of screaming, yeah. So ijumped up and i looked out the window. Out onto what would be southwark street, and i saw lots of people screaming and running, just trying to get out of the way of something. Most people trying to run down into the underground station, run down borough high street. People running everywhere. You heard a man on the phone saying there has been a stabbing which. It was when i saw lots of people running down into the underground, i thought it seemed a lot more serious because it was mass panic. Yeah. At that point, it wasnt just a fight, it was something serious. And there was one ambulance that had obviously gone to this stabbing. One young guy seemed to come out of the pub and he was knocking on the window of the ambulance service. He was in a panic. In a panic, saying, you have to help my friend, hes been stabbed and hes in the pub. Whether or not he got stabbed in the pub or outside the pub, i dont know, but he said, my friends been stabbed, hes in the pub. And there was another guy who was probably in his 40s standing on the other side of the ambulance, knocking on the other window, saying, ive been stabbed. He was covered in blood. You had no police at this stage . Just an ambulance . No, everyone wasjust driving past us. They were trying to get to London Bridge. Until this one guy walked out in the road, managed to grab the attention of one of the police cars, and basically forced them down that road, saying, look, you have to go down stoney street, you have to go down there. He is down there. The one police four by four screeched down the street and within five seconds, there were six gunshots, it sounded like that to us. I am not sure if i have got this wrong but im convinced i heard some sort of bank in the pub, lots of people running out bang. We heard another series of gunshots. I looked out the window and there were loads of armed police and there were loads of armed police and they were mentioning that the work three guys with three devices strapped to them there were. I shouted, what should we do question that they said, stay there. It was when everything seemed to calm down. There were a lot of police. Not many people. We were looking out the window and the bomb robot turned up. At this point, they had cleared eve ryo ne at this point, they had cleared everyone out of the area. I shouted down, we are still here, what should we do custom that one Police Officer said, you have to get out now. Just run. said, you have to get out now. Just run. What should we do . Run as far as you can. We had to run in the middle of the road. It wasjust us running. In my memory, there were at least two casualties. I think i saw three. They were in the middle of the road, getting attention. How are you actually feeling right now . |j you actually feeling right now . feel a little bit odd, in shock. feel a little bit odd, in shock. feel like i have just watched a film. I love london, this is where iam from. Film. I love london, this is where i am from. It kind of feels like it is one of those things where you are not going to be shaken by it. They lived above Borough Market. Im joined now byjulie and andrew eva ns. Joined now byjulie and andrew evans. They were staying in the shard, celebrating yourfifth wedding anniversary. Tell me what you saw . We were looking out and we happen to see groups of people on the bridge and we noticed that there we re the bridge and we noticed that there were people tending to them and we thought there might have been a road Traffic Accident and we realised there were multiple groups of people and soon after that, the Police Arrived and ambulances arrived. We could see Borough Market, we saw the police cars moving down there. We saw Police Arrived and scatter, there were a number of gunshots, trying to move people into safe spaces, and then armed Police Arrived and they were starting to evacuate people from the area. What reaction were you seeing in the hotel . We understood lots of residents were told to leave their homes and buildings were under lockdown. We call down to the concierge and he said the hotel is on lockdown but it is safe. No one is coming in or out. We were advised to stay put. We had a Birdseye View as it unfolded. Can you tell me what you saw . Like my wife said, initially, we saw on the bridge, you are strangely hoping it is a Traffic Accident, Something Like that, but there were multiple spots along the bridge, it became apparent it was something more serious and very quickly you could see it was something much more sirius as you heard the gunshots and people were being evacuated with hands over their heads more serious. That is obviously a procedure for the police, it looks worse, hordes of people with hands over their heads. Quite quickly, it was contained and thenit quite quickly, it was contained and then it was obvious the police were enforcing the cordon. About 1 30am, we decided to try to get some sleep. At that point, there were three controlled explosions which is not exactly what we wanted to hear. We heard the three controlled explosions, what we hope. Ithink they said later it was controlled. Where did you get that information from . We think we heard it on the news. We heard three explosions quite shortly after each other. We we re quite shortly after each other. We were worried Something Else was happening. We thought, 0k, we will try to sleep, it seems to be quiet. The shard is just a few hundred meters away, towards London Bridge, are you able to get back to the hotel . The doors are locked, they are letting residents come in and out, they are taking it very seriously. We are able to get back there today. There is still a cordon towards London Bridge area, the station is closed. Julie and andrew, thank you for talking to me this morning. How do you feel in terms of safety about being in london today . We live in london, we want to stay strong and show this is not going to impact is. It is scary we were so close. At the same time, it will not stop us. It is a sentiment being echoed a lot with many people. Thank you very much. Let us return to ben in the studio. We will keep you up to date from the scene just a few hundred metres from Borough Market and London Bridge. The weather. A lot of rain in the forecast. In some places, it will pile up. Today, the rain comes in the form of showers. Heavy downpours but with drier weather and sunshine in between. This is how things have been shaping up so far. Shower clouds already across western scotland, Northern Ireland, north west england. The cloud bringing persistent rain in the first part of this morning in the south west of england and wales. It moves east and it will break up into showers and there will be drier gaps in between. East anglia and the South East Staying Dry for a good pa rt South East Staying Dry for a good part of the day. Northern ireland and scotland, a few showers, but sunny intervals. By 4p, the south west and wales should be drying out. The showers will be moving east. By 4pm. East anglia, the far south east, staying dry. After sharing all after a shower in mourning, fine weather in the afternoon. Northern ireland and scotland, quite a few showers, not as many as yesterday. On the heavy side with the odd rumble of thunder. This evening, some of the showers will continue but we turn our attention west because Northern Ireland, scotland and a good part of wales and north west england, rain will work its way in. We can follow this to the west and it is going to bea this to the west and it is going to be a big player in the weather tomorrow because it will focus on the northern half of wales and especially north west england, these areas will see our upon our of rain and it could give travel disruption, Surface Water and perhaps localised flooding, wet and increasingly windy weather in the south west. Northern ireland and scotland, a mixture of sunny spells and pretty hefty showers. The wet weather comes courtesy of a fairly complex area of low pressure, three different areas of low pressure and it is this one which will drift north monday night into tuesday and it will sit around across the north east of scotland. Tuesday, we will see rain continuing here for a good part of the day and it could cause issues with the localised flooding. Elsewhere, a strong and blustery wind, mixture of sunny spells, heavy showers. I will hand you back to naga. This is bbc news from central london, just a few hundred metres from London Bridge and Borough Market. At 10 08pm, a van drove into the blood London Bridge. The three men got out and attacked people with knives, stabbing people on the streets and in Borough Market a van drove into people. Six have died and 48 are injured, others with minor injuries. 48 people are in hospital. The threat level is at severe. The Prime Minister has suspended her general Election Campaigning to return to london, she will give a statement at 10am and she will chair a Cobra Committee meeting later today. Flags are flying at half mast at Downing Street in recognition of this horrendous attack on innocent people. We will take a look at the threat level and security precautions made here. The cordon is behind me, increased Police Presence here understandably, the mayor of london, sadiq khan, has warned londoners to be aware there will be an increased Police Presence across the city. I am joined by a security expert. You heard the news this morning, what were your thoughts in terms of security and how this has happened . Sadly, it does not come as a massive surprise, particularly within the security industry, insomuch as this is something the authorities have been planning for, the marauding Terrorist Attack. Although in many cases, the blue light services, the fire brigade, ambulance and police, thejoint has been rehearsing for this, it did not discount the potential for three or more people coming together, as we have seen in paris, mumbai, kenya. This is an ideal and very effective way for a terrorist to carry out an attack. The threat level is at severe, recently down from critical, how has that affected preparation . Would you expect it to return to critical estimate it depends what jtac says to cobra. Return to critical . Although we were at critical . Although we were at critical and if you read between the lines, it means a threat is highly likely and imminent, it means the authorities know the threat is potentially going to materialise but they do not note by whom, where or when. Severe, it still means a threat is highly likely, so it is not like we have been caught unprepared like perhaps on 7 7. The authorities to a certain extent believe they know where most of the threats could originate. The Emergency Services have been praised highly for the reaction to this incident. Within minutes, they were attending to people at the scene and neutralising the attacker. Totally phenomenal response, it shows why we are World Leaders in this particular sector and how much Rehearsal Preparation and training has gone into reacting to these types of situations. When you consider it is an intangible threat, three individuals in a vehicle, multiple Incident Room at happening across what is a relatively wide area and the response to suppressing the terrorists as quickly as they have, we can only commend the authorities. We cannot stop it happening but we can we cannot stop it happening but we ca n rea ct we cannot stop it happening but we can react in the best possible way when they do. Thank you for talking to me. We have been bringing you coverage from a few hundred metres from London Bridge and Borough Market where the horrific attack took place yesterday evening shortly after 10pm. Six people were killed, many more injured, 48 injured, others with minor injuries. The Prime Minister will deliver a statement at 10am this morning and she will chair a Cobra Committee meeting to assess the threat and security levels in the uk. For me in central london, it is goodbye. I will hand you back to ben in the studio. You are watching bbc news. Returning to some of the Eyewitness Testimony we have heard. If you are just tuning in this morning, our top story, six people have been killed, 50 injured nearly, in a knife attack and van attack last night. The may has said some of those injured are still in Critical Condition. The mayor. Borough market, you may know it, it includes many bars and Restau Ra Nts, it, it includes many bars and restaurants, typical busy saturday night. Many eyewitness stories, sharing videos too. One of those caught up in the event sent us his view of what he experienced. Some viewers may find some of the content in the interview distressing. viewers may find some of the content in the interview distressing. I go past the natwest bank, under the train bridge, i saw a dessert on the floor going, i have been stabbed i saw floor going, i have been stabbed isawa floor going, i have been stabbed i saw a guy. Someone stabbed my mate. I saw these three muslim guys ran up with knives, started stabbing this girl, i was defenceless, i could not do nothing. They attacked her and they stabbed another guy, i think. They started running up a road, isaid, everybody think. They started running up a road, i said, everybody run, think. They started running up a road, isaid, everybody run, they are stabbing everybody ifollowed them, they went down towards Borough Market. They started running into the caravan and stabbed the bouncer the tavern. I was going, run, run. I was throwing bottles at them, chairs, pint glasses. I try to help people. I was defenceless. If i had fallen over, they would probably have killed me. What did you see them do . They went, this is for a. They stabbed this girl, i dont know how many times, ten, 15. This is for allah. I try to pick up a chair but it was locked. I could not do nothing. You look at the cctv, they will see me on the cctv, chasing them, silly thing to do, i know, but i was just trying to save people. Did they try to attack you . They tried to stab me. I threw something at them, as i threw it, one of them, it hit them on the back, they ran towards me to try to stab me so i ran away. If i had slipped over, i would have been a dead man. Some of the eyewitness reaction to events last night. We have also heard from the london mayor sadiq khan talking about how the Security Services are the best in the world, in his view. We also heard from the Assistant Commissioner of the metropolitan police. The metropolitan police has been responding to incidents in London Bridge, Borough Market. We are treating this as a Terrorist Incident and a full investigation is all ready underweight led by londons Counterterrorism Command under way. Our knowledge of the incident is still growing but at the moment what we understand is as follows. At eight minutes past ten last night, we began to receive reports a vehicle had struck pedestrians on London Bridge. The vehicle continued to drive from London Bridge the Borough Market, the suspects left the vehicle, attempting to stab a number of people, including an on duty British Transport Police officer responding to the incident and he received serious injuries, fortunately not life threatening, his family have been informed. Armed response officers responded very quickly and bravely and confronted the three male suspects who were shot and killed in Borough Market. The suspect had been confronted and chopped by police within eight minutes of the first call the suspects had been confronted and shot. The closer vests were later discovered to be the Explosive Vests they were wearing were found to be fake. At this stage, we believe that sadly six people have died in addition to the three attackers shot by police. The assista nt attackers shot by police. The Assistant Commissioner of the met police there with that update in the early hours of this morning. Clearly a lot of developments since then. Let us talk with a former Police Officer. Good morning to you both. Chris, starting with you, in terms of what we saw last night, primitive, in some respects, a van driving into pedestrians and a knife attack, but we believe there were three attackers . That is correct. Trying to assess a threat like that, mitigate it, it is nigh on impossible. We talked earlier about the fact you can use certain devices, bollard is, obstructions, and they are in place, and all sorts of barriers that can be put temporarily into city centres, but there are a limit to the number of those in production, especially with the raised threat levels. Trying to read how these offenders were going to act, if we did not have intel on them previously, how do you stop them previously, how do you stop them from committing such an atrocity . And it really comes down to the forensic backtracked to see where they came from, to use what is on them as forensic evidence and find out if they were acting alone. All morning we have been Hearing Accou Nts all morning we have been Hearing A Ccou Nts of all morning we have been Hearing Accounts of what happened, the chaos in the minutes after the attack. For people just tuning in, in the minutes after the attack. For peoplejust tuning in, we know the first calls got to the police at eight minutes past ten and they were on scene eight minutes later. They did not know where was safe to run to. You have talked earlier about the advice to run, hide, tell and it is great advice. However, if you are caught up in something, you have had a drink, saturday night, everyone is in good spirits, one of the most famous landmarks in the world, London Bridge, what would you think if that happened to you . I would question that anyone knows how they would react. I have been in stressful situations, as every Police Officer has been, no matter how much experience you have got, you will be traumatised. It has to be pointed out the bravery of the Emergency Services personnel running towards the threat, with what happened in paris and recently in kabul and afghanistan generally and iraq, to know it might happen to you and to still be the first person to respond to it, it is superb, amazing, great human quality. Absolutely. I am interested in the fa ct absolutely. I am interested in the fact this is the third Terror Attack in the uk since march. Very different from the attackjust in the uk since march. Very different from the attack just two weeks ago on the Manchester Arena, but it bears a lot of the same hallmarks as the attack on westminster bridge. Absolutely. When you look at what exactly happened la st you look at what exactly happened last night, it seems it is very consistent with what happened in the march, in london. Of course, you have to remember, nobody has claimed any responsibility yet, but when you do look at the pattern, the nature of the activity, the nature of this type of indiscriminate violence, to me, it is very much like an incident organised and delivered, a Terror Attack, by the Islamic State or at least inspired by the Islamic State. This is very much reflection of what they have been telling us over the la st they have been telling us over the last week, right at the beginning of the holy month of ramadan, in their own magazine, the current spokesperson for the organisation, they said that if the believers cannot make it to the battlefront in iraq and syria, they should use the holy month of ramadan to use any tool they have at the disposable to create maximum fear and destruction anywhere they can. Chris, when you hear that, when we all hear that, how do we keep ourselves safe . The Security Procedures are in place around a number of london parks, a literal Ring Of Steel Bollard is to protect people in those parks, are we going to see that on the streets more . I think the Cobra Meeting will reveal that an Strategic Decisions will be made over the next couple of days about removable barriers. The main message to the public is, you are being protected by the greatest Security Personnel in the world so be so rest assured. Security personnel in the world so be so rest assured. Thank you for explaining that. Continuing coverage of calls on bbc news. We will have special coverage of the events last night and the implications from the Cobra Meeting. Thank you. We will see you soon. Youre watching bbc news. Im on London Bridge where six people have been killed and nearly 50 injured in a Terrorist Attack. A white van drove into pedestrians before three men jumped out and stabbed people in nearby streets. They were running in all the pubs, all the bars. They run in and they were stabbing everyone and i was going to people, run, run, run distressing scenes as paramedics and the Emergency Services provided first aid. Some of the injured are in a Critical Condition in hospital. Police placed several bars in Lockdown People were ordered to lay on the ground as officers checked there were no assailants present. Police say that within eight minutes of receiving first reports