www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/london-bridge-attacker-hoax-explosive-device-a4300806.html

A man wearing a hoax explosive device has been shot dead by police following a terror attack near London Bridge, Scotland Yard has confirmed.

Neil Basu, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said a male suspect was shot dead on the bridge after several people were injured during a stabbing in a premises nearby .

The suspect was grappled to the ground and disarmed by members of the public after the knife rampage.

Mr Basu said that the incident “has been declared as a terror incident” but that police were keeping an open mind about the motive.

Referring to reports of the man wearing an explosive, Mr Basu said that police believe the "device" was a "hoax".

London Bridge Incident | 29 November 2019





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In a press conference outside New Scotlad Yard, Mr Basu said: "At approximately 2pm today, police were called to a stabbing at a premises near London Bridge.

"Emergency services attended including officers from the City of London Police and Metropolitan Police.

"A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from City of London police and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene."


London Bridge stabbing: Police detain suspect
On the hoax explosive, he continued: "Due to reports that the suspect may have had an explosive device, specialist officers also attended the scene and wide cordons are in place to ensure there remains no further danger to the public.

"However, I can confirm that at this time, we believe a device that was strapped to the body of the suspect is a hoax explosive device. Officers continue to carry out meticulous searches in the area to ensure there is no outstanding threat to the public."

Mr Basu said he would give updates to the families of those injured "as soon as we can get that information".

"A number of other people received injuries during this incident. As soon as we can provide further updates on their condition, we will," he told the press conference.


A number of people injured following London Bridge stabbing
"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to everybody who has been involved in this and is anxiously waiting for information on their loved ones.

"As soon as we can get that information, we will get it to you."

Police were called to reports of a stabbing at an unnamed premises near London Bridge.

Borough Market, at the opposite end of the bridge to where the suspect was shot, was cordoned off in the wake of the incident.

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Armed police at the scene of an incident on London Bridge (PA)
The bridge and the market were the scene of a terror attack in 2017 in which eight victims were killed along with the three terrorists.

Witnesses had described a scene of panic around London Bridge , moments after the incident.

Witness Kelby McNally, OK! Online's editor, who works in the Northern and Shell Building on Lower Thames Street near to London Bridge, said she initially thought a fire alarm had gone when she saw "loads of people just running".

She said: "There were loads of people just running, I thought it was a fire alarm or something, and then I saw two girls from my office who told me not to go back there.

"I asked what had happened, and they said they had heard gunshots and now everyone is running."


Nurse Jackie Bensfield, 32, described how she asked to be let off a bus on London Bridge after she heard "five or six" gunshots.

Ms Bensfield, who was on her way home from work, said she exited the bus and "ran like hell" to escape the shots.

Connor Allen, who was in his van on the bridge when it was evacuated said: "Everyone just started running, you heard these pops and that was it. We just got out the van and started running."

Footage from the scene appeared to show a white lorry straddling the northbound and southbound carriageways.

The video shows several officers surrounding the vehicle before moving to the rear to check its container.


London buses can be seen either side of the lorry while three police cars are parked next to it on the bridge.

Mr Basu did not mention the lorry during his press conference.

Extra police officers will be on patrol across London in the wake of the attack.

Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Neil Basu said the force will be enhancing police patrols both in the City and across London.

And British Transport Police said there would be more officers on the transport network including firearms officers and other specialist teams.

The incident comes just weeks after the UK’s terrorism threat level was downgraded.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I'm being kept updated on the incident at London Bridge and want to thank the police and all emergency services for their immediate response."

Home Secretary Priti Patel wrote on Twitter: "Very concerned by ongoing incident at London Bridge. My thoughts are with