Armed officers are responding to reports that a white van veered off the road on London Bridge, hitting pedestrians. Police also responded to reports of stabbings in Borough Market.
Both incidents have been confirmed as acts of terrorism, with at least one casualty being confirmed.
The Metropolitan Police say “At 0025hrs 4/6/17 the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market were declared as terrorist incidents.”
They also say that the incident at Vauxhall is a stabbing “and is not connected to the incidents at London Bridge and Borough Market.
London Ambulance Service and London Metropolitan Police are urging people to avoid London Bridge, Borough Market, and Vauxhall.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is treating the “terrible incident” as a “potential act of terrorism”.
She says; “Following updates from police and security officials, I can confirm that the terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism.
“This is a fast moving investigation. I want to express my huge gratitude to the police and emergency services who are on the scene. Our thoughts are with those who are caught up in these dreadful events.”
A crisis COBRA meeting will be called shortly.
The Police Marine Policing Unit are working with RNLI lifeboats to evacuate the public.
The Metropolitan Police shared the following image, urging anyone in the Vauxhall area to run to a place of safety, hide, with your phone on silent, and call 999 when it is safe to do so.
#Londonbridge #boroughmarket #vauxhall pic.twitter.com/a7OciBEBjH
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 3, 2017
Please remain calm, but be alert & vigilant. We are using all necessary skills & resources at #LondonBridge #BoroughMarket #Vauxhall
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 3, 2017
Harrowing eyewitness footage of the terror attacks has begun emerging on Twitter.
BREAKING: Chaos as police storm bar near London Bridge, order people to “get down.” pic.twitter.com/9sb6Ep3tey
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) June 3, 2017
A BBC reporter, Holly Jones, who was on the bridge at the time of the incident, estimates that the driver was travelling at approximately 50 miles per hour and that five or six people are being treated for their injuries after being struck by the vehicle.
Ms Jones says “A white van driver came speeding – probably about 50mph – veered of the road into the crowds of people who were walking along the pavement. He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people. He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind.”
“I’d say there are about four severely injured people. They all have paramedics assisting them at the moment.”
She added that emergency services were on the scene within two minutes.
So many ambulances, shoutout to the emergency services. #LondonBridge pic.twitter.com/FMH5U5RfVH
— Alan Fisher (@Alanfisher100) June 3, 2017
Prime Minister Theresa May made her way to 10 Downing Street at 12:15am to receive a brief.
#LondonBridge on lockdown – view from the #Shard pic.twitter.com/tsrrteYpY0
— Georgia Sibold (@TheGSibold) June 3, 2017
On Twitter Londoners have begun offering those affected a safe place to stay using the hashtag #LondonBridge.
If you’re stuck in London Bridge, I live a short taxi ride away. DM me is you need anywhere to stay for the night. #London #LondonBridge
— Jasvir Singh (@_JasvirSingh) June 3, 2017
I live less than 1 min from Borough tube, 5 min from LBG. Have tea and lotsa space for people to come and sit. Message & RT! #LondonBridge
— Natassia Chin (@tassiachin) June 3, 2017
Tags:I live two minutes from Borough tube. If anyone is stuck and would like tea/somewhere to hang out then get in touch #LondonBridge
— Alex Nixon (@alexnixon_uk) June 3, 2017
