Update: The jihadist who carried out the attack was British-born and had previously been investigated by MI5, the home security branch. Speaking in the House of Commons today, Prime Minister Theresa May said the man was a British citizen who was known to the police and security services. He had been investigated some years ago over violent extremism. Mrs May said he was a ‘peripheral’ figure, adding: ‘He was not part of the current intelligence picture.’
Police have arrested seven people following the London terror attack in which four people died and 40 were injured.
Acting Deputy Commissioner and Head of Counter Terrorism Mark Rowley of the Metropolitan Police said hundreds of detectives worked overnight searching six addresses following the devastating incident yesterday afternoon.
In a statement made outside Scotland Yard early today Mr Rowley said: “The inquiries in Birmingham, London and other parts of the country are continuing. It is still our belief – which continues to be borne out by our investigation – that this attacker acted alone and was inspired by international terrorism. To be explicit, at this stage we have no specific information about further threats to the public.”
Police have not named the attacker and have asked the media not to name him either.
This morning Aysha Frade, a mother of two aged 43, was named as one of those who died after the attacker drove a 4X4 into dozens of pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.
The man then crashed his vehicle – which was hired in Birmingham – into railings outside the Houses of Parliament and ran into the grounds of the Palace of Westminster where he stabbed to death policeman Keith Palmer. The terrorist was shot by armed officers and later died in hospital.
Seven of those who were injured are still in hospital in a critical condition, according to police. Twenty-nine others have been treated in hospital.