Westminster attack: Seven arrested in police raids
SEVEN people have been arrested and six addresses raided in London, Birmingham and elsewhere in connection with the Westminster terror attack, Mark Rowley, the Met's senior anti-terror officer, has said.
The four people who died included unarmed police officer PC Keith Palmer.
The 48-year-old husband and father was stabbed by a man armed with two large knives inside the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.
Minutes earlier the attacker had mown down pedestrians with a car on Westminster Bridge, including schoolchildren.
Speaking outside Scotland Yard last night, Mark Rowley said about 40 people had been injured, several – including two police officers – seriously.
He declined to name the attacker, but said police believe he was ‘inspired by international terrorism’.
Mr Rowley said: ‘In Westminster we saw tragic events unfold and our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, those who were injured and all those affected by this attack.
‘One of those who died 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 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 that there are three members of the public who have lost their lives in the attack. Specially-trained family liaison officers have been deployed to support them.
Explaining why PC Palmer was unarmed, Mr Rowley said: ‘Our parliamentary protection team are a combination of armed and unarmed officers doing different roles, and sadly the officer who lost his life today was unarmed.
‘He was supported by armed colleagues who shot and killed the attacker.’
Seven people have been arrested and six addresses raided in London, Birmingham and elsewhere in connection with the Westminster terror attack, Mark Rowley, the Met’s senior anti-terror officer, has said.
Communities around the world have shown solidarity with those affected by Wednesday’s Westminster terror attack through a series of poignant gestures.
As midnight fell in France, the Eiffel Tower switched its lights off to blend in against the Paris nightscape to honour those killed.