Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed Saturday to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-vows-review-as-convicted-terrorist-named-in-london-attack-265475">review Britain's sentencing system </a>after a convicted terrorist released early from prison stabbed two people to death and wounded three in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-knife-attack-suspect-was-ex-terror-convict-police-265330">London Bridge </a>attack.

Members of the public were hailed as heroes for preventing even greater loss of life by tackling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-bridge-attack-suspect-was-planning-to-go-to-pakistan-for-terrorist-training-police-265412">Usman Khan </a>-- one armed with a five-foot (1.5-metre) narwhal tusk and another with a fire extinguisher -- before police shot him dead.

Video footage of the confrontation showed Khan, 28, being challenged by a man, reportedly a Polish chef, wielding the tusk -- believed to have been grabbed from the historic hall where the stabbings began -- as another person sprayed him with the extinguisher.

Khan had been conditionally released from jail last December after serving less than half of a 16-year prison sentence for terrorism and was wearing a fake explosive device.

On Saturday, the Islamic State group released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack.

"The person who carried out the London attack... was a fighter from the Islamic State, and did so in response to calls to target citizens of coalition countries," IS said, referring to a multi-country alliance against the group.

The incident comes two years after Islamist extremists in a van ploughed into pedestrians on London Bridge before attacking people at random with knives in nearby Borough Market.

On that occasion, eight people were killed and 48 wounded before the three attackers, who were wearing fake suicide devices, were shot dead by police.

'Investigate fully'&nbsp;

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said five people had been stabbed inside Fishmonger's Hall by London Bridge before members of the public pursued the attacker. The three survivors remain in the hospital.

Basu added that Khan had been released under "an extensive list of license conditions" with which he had previously been complying.

Police on Saturday searched two properties in Stoke-on-Trent, Khan's home city, and Stafford in central England.

The latest attack came less than two weeks before Britain's general election and thrust the issue of terrorism into the heart of the campaign.

Johnson pledged to introduce minimum 14-year sentences for serious terrorist offences, while some convicted might never be released, and to scrap early release if he wins a majority.&nbsp;

"It's absolutely clear that we can't carry on with the failed approaches of the past," said Johnson, who became leader of the Conservative Party -- which has been in power since 2010 -- in July.

He also spoke to US President Donald Trump Saturday, who "expressed his condolences" over the attack, according to the White House.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn appeared to raise doubts about the Tories' handling of the parole and wider justice system in light of the attack.

"We need to investigate fully the way all aspects of the criminal justice system operate," he said, branding the London Bridge incident "a complete disaster".

'Human spirit'&nbsp;

The first victim of the attack was named as Jack Merritt, a course coordinator at Cambridge University's criminology institute, according to media reports.

The institute hosted a prisoner rehabilitation event at Fishmonger's Hall, a historic building on the north side of the bridge. Khan attended the event reportedly armed with two knives and the fake suicide vest.

As the confrontation moved from inside the hall to the pavement outside, a throng of people could be seen in videos grappling with Khan.

They reportedly included a convicted killer on day-release from prison and other ex-offenders also attending the criminology gathering.

A British Transport Police officer in a suit and tie who also intervened was seen carrying a large knife away.

"As we saw the worst of human kind, we saw the very best of human spirit and London," Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said Saturday as she visited London Bridge.&nbsp;

'Enduring thanks'&nbsp;

Khan, a British national, was handed an indeterminate sentence for the protection of the public in 2012, with at least eight years in prison.

He was part of an eight-man network inspired by Al-Qaeda who had plotted to bomb targets including the London Stock Exchange, and planned to take part in "terrorist training" in Pakistan.

But his sentence was quashed by the Court of Appeal in April 2013 and he received a new 21-year term, comprising a custodial sentence of 16 years and five years on conditional release.

Inmates are usually released half-way through this type of determinate sentence -- and time spent in custody before trial may have been taken into account.

The Parole Board said it had no involvement in his release and that it appeared to have happened automatically as required by law.

Johnson said the cases of other convicted terrorists released early were under urgent review.

The Ministry of Justice is reportedly reviewing the licence conditions of every convicted terrorist released from prison, which is understood to be around 70 people.

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed Saturday to review Britain's sentencing system after a convicted terrorist released early from prison stabbed two people to death and wounded three in a London Bridge attack.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed Saturday to review Britain's sentencing system after a convicted terrorist released early from prison stabbed two people to death and wounded three in a London Bridge attack. Members of the public were hailed as heroes for preventing even greater loss of life by tackling Usman Khan -- one armed with a five-foot (1.5-metre) narwhal tusk and another with a fire extinguisher -- before police shot him dead. Video footage of the confrontation showed Khan, 28, being challenged by a man, reportedly a Polish chef, wielding the tusk -- believed to have been grabbed from the historic hall where the stabbings began -- as another person sprayed him with the extinguisher. Khan had been conditionally released from jail last December after serving less than half of a 16-year prison sentence for terrorism and was wearing a fake explosive device. On Saturday, the Islamic State group released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. "The person who carried out the London attack... was a fighter from the Islamic State, and did so in response to calls to target citizens of coalition countries," IS said, referring to a multi-country alliance against the group. The incident comes two years after Islamist extremists in a van ploughed into pedestrians on London Bridge before attacking people at random with knives in nearby Borough Market. On that occasion, eight people were killed and 48 wounded before the three attackers, who were wearing fake suicide devices, were shot dead by police. 'Investigate fully' Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said five people had been stabbed inside Fishmonger's Hall by London Bridge before members of the public pursued the attacker. The three survivors remain in the hospital. Basu added that Khan had been released under "an extensive list of license conditions" with which he had previously been complying. Police on Saturday searched two properties in Stoke-on-Trent, Khan's home city, and Stafford in central England. The latest attack came less than two weeks before Britain's general election and thrust the issue of terrorism into the heart of the campaign. Johnson pledged to introduce minimum 14-year sentences for serious terrorist offences, while some convicted might never be released, and to scrap early release if he wins a majority. "It's absolutely clear that we can't carry on with the failed approaches of the past," said Johnson, who became leader of the Conservative Party -- which has been in power since 2010 -- in July. He also spoke to US President Donald Trump Saturday, who "expressed his condolences" over the attack, according to the White House. But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn appeared to raise doubts about the Tories' handling of the parole and wider justice system in light of the attack. "We need to investigate fully the way all aspects of the criminal justice system operate," he said, branding the London Bridge incident "a complete disaster". 'Human spirit' The first victim of the attack was named as Jack Merritt, a course coordinator at Cambridge University's criminology institute, according to media reports. The institute hosted a prisoner rehabilitation event at Fishmonger's Hall, a historic building on the north side of the bridge. Khan attended the event reportedly armed with two knives and the fake suicide vest. As the confrontation moved from inside the hall to the pavement outside, a throng of people could be seen in videos grappling with Khan. They reportedly included a convicted killer on day-release from prison and other ex-offenders also attending the criminology gathering. A British Transport Police officer in a suit and tie who also intervened was seen carrying a large knife away. "As we saw the worst of human kind, we saw the very best of human spirit and London," Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said Saturday as she visited London Bridge. 'Enduring thanks' Khan, a British national, was handed an indeterminate sentence for the protection of the public in 2012, with at least eight years in prison. He was part of an eight-man network inspired by Al-Qaeda who had plotted to bomb targets including the London Stock Exchange, and planned to take part in "terrorist training" in Pakistan. But his sentence was quashed by the Court of Appeal in April 2013 and he received a new 21-year term, comprising a custodial sentence of 16 years and five years on conditional release. Inmates are usually released half-way through this type of determinate sentence -- and time spent in custody before trial may have been taken into account. The Parole Board said it had no involvement in his release and that it appeared to have happened automatically as required by law. Johnson said the cases of other convicted terrorists released early were under urgent review. The Ministry of Justice is reportedly reviewing the licence conditions of every convicted terrorist released from prison, which is understood to be around 70 people.

UK's Johnson vows to act as convicted terrorist named in London Bridge attack

Convicted terrorists should "not necessarily" serve their full prison terms, the leader of Britain's main opposition Labour party said on Sunday, after a man freed early from a terrorism sentence killed two people in London.

Usman Khan, wearing a fake suicide vest and wielding knives, went on the rampage at a conference on criminal rehabilitation beside London Bridge on Friday. The 28-year old Briton was wrestled to the ground by bystanders and shot dead by police.

Police said Khan had previously been convicted of terrorism offences but was freed early from prison.

The attack propelled law and order to the top of the political agenda less than two weeks before a national election.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told Sky News that a person convicted of terrorism offences should "not necessarily" serve their full sentence.

"It depends on the circumstances, it depends on the sentence, but crucially it depends on what they've done in the prison," he said.

Foreign Minister Dominic Raab suggested a Conservative government would strengthen sentencing measures and end the practice where serious offenders can be automatically let out of prison early.

"We've said we would expect for the serious terrorist offences a minimum 14-year sentence," Raab told Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

"We don't think that it is the case that they should all necessarily be released, we think for some offences they should be imprisoned for life, and we also think that terrorist offenders should serve their full sentence."

Corbyn, a veteran peace campaigner, said the police had no choice but to shoot the attacker.

"I think they had no choice. They were stuck with a situation where there was a credible threat of a bomb belt around his body and it's an awful situation for any police officer, any public servant to be put in," Corbyn said. 
&nbsp;

Convicted terrorists should "not necessarily" serve their full prison terms, the leader of Britain's main opposition Labour party said on Sunday, after a man freed early from a terrorism sentence killed two people in London.

Convicted terrorists should "not necessarily" serve their full prison terms, the leader of Britain's main opposition Labour party said on Sunday, after a man freed early from a terrorism sentence killed two people in London. Usman Khan, wearing a fake suicide vest and wielding knives, went on the rampage at a conference on criminal rehabilitation beside London Bridge on Friday. The 28-year old Briton was wrestled to the ground by bystanders and shot dead by police. Police said Khan had previously been convicted of terrorism offences but was freed early from prison. The attack propelled law and order to the top of the political agenda less than two weeks before a national election. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told Sky News that a person convicted of terrorism offences should "not necessarily" serve their full sentence. "It depends on the circumstances, it depends on the sentence, but crucially it depends on what they've done in the prison," he said. Foreign Minister Dominic Raab suggested a Conservative government would strengthen sentencing measures and end the practice where serious offenders can be automatically let out of prison early. "We've said we would expect for the serious terrorist offences a minimum 14-year sentence," Raab told Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday. "We don't think that it is the case that they should all necessarily be released, we think for some offences they should be imprisoned for life, and we also think that terrorist offenders should serve their full sentence." Corbyn, a veteran peace campaigner, said the police had no choice but to shoot the attacker. "I think they had no choice. They were stuck with a situation where there was a credible threat of a bomb belt around his body and it's an awful situation for any police officer, any public servant to be put in," Corbyn said.

London bridge attack: Corbyn says convicted terrorists  should 'not necessarily' serve full sentence

The British government on Saturday vowed a "full review" after a convicted terrorist released early from prison was suspected of stabbing two people to death on London Bridge.

Police shot Usman Khan dead after his suspected assault that seriously injured three other people was broken up by bystanders -- one armed with a five-foot narwhal tusk and another a fire extinguisher.

Video footage of the confrontation showed Khan, 28, being challenged by a man wielding the tusk -- believed to have been taken from a nearby historic hall -- and sprayed with the extinguisher.&nbsp;

He had been conditionally released from jail last December after serving less than half of a 16-year sentence for terrorism, and was wearing a suspected fake explosive device.

Moments later armed police officers arrived on the scene and shot him dead.

Investigators have said they are not actively seeking others in relation to the incident, which recalled a three-man terrorist assault two years ago on London Bridge that killed eight.

The latest attack came less than two weeks before Britain's general election, and politicians temporarily suspended campaigning.&nbsp;

Security Minister Brandon Lewis said the government would check whether sentences were being dealt with "in a proper way" following Friday's carnage.

"After any incident like this, there has to be and always is, a full review and lessons-learned exercise taken forward," he told BBC Radio.

"We have to let the investigation complete itself first, but that will absolutely happen."

'Bundle him to the ground'

Khan, from Stoke in central England, was handed an indeterminate sentence for public protection in 2012, with at least eight years in prison, along with eight others inspired by Al-Qaeda who had plotted to bomb targets including the London Stock Exchange.

They were also found guilty of making longer-term plans including taking part in "terrorist training" in Pakistan.

But the sentences of Khan and two co-conspirators were quashed by the Court of Appeal in April 2013 and he received a new 21-year sentence, comprising a maximum custodial term of 16 years.

Police on Saturday were reportedly searching a property in Stafford, in central England, thought to be connected to Khan.

Police believe he began the attack at Fishmonger's Hall, a historic building said to contain many ancient artefacts on the north side of the bridge.

It was hosting an event organised by the University of Cambridge's criminology institute on prisoner rehabilitation, attended by Khan, who reportedly arrived with two knives and the fake suicide vest.

Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope said he was "devastated" that the university's staff, students and alumni may have been targeted.

The Metropolitan Police appealed for witnesses from the event to come forward.&nbsp;

As the attack moved to London Bridge, a throng of people could be seen in videos grappling with Khan on a pedestrian walkway.

Tour guide Stevie Hurst told BBC radio that "everyone was just on top of him trying to bundle him to the ground.

"I saw that the knife was still in his hand so I just put a foot in to try and kick him in the head: we were trying to do as much as we could to try and dislodge the knife," he said.

One man in a suit and tie -- identified by media as a police officer -- was later seen carrying a large knife away.

'Mistake'

Attention has swiftly turned to how Khan could have been released from prison after serving less than seven years of his sentence.

Inmates are usually released half-way through the type of determinate sentence he was given, and time spent in custody before trial may have been taken into account.

The Parole Board said it had no involvement in his release and that it appeared to have happened automatically as required by law.

During the attack, Khan wore an electronic tag used to monitor criminal offenders, The Times newspaper reported.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who chaired a meeting of the government's emergencies committee late Friday, said he had "long argued" it was a "mistake to allow serious and violent criminals to come out of prison early."

Johnson, who hopes to win a majority in a December 12 election and take Britain of the European Union, praised the emergency services and the public for their response.

On November 4, Britain downgraded its terrorism threat level from "severe", the second-highest of five levels, to "substantial" -- the lowest rating in more than five years.

The 2017 London Bridge attack involved Islamist extremists in a van who ploughed into pedestrians before attacking people at random with knives in nearby Borough Market.

Eight people were killed and 48 wounded. The three attackers, who were wearing fake suicide devices, were shot dead by police.

The British government on Saturday vowed a "full review" after a convicted terrorist released early from prison was suspected of stabbing two people to death on London Bridge.

The British government on Saturday vowed a "full review" after a convicted terrorist released early from prison was suspected of stabbing two people to death on London Bridge. Police shot Usman Khan dead after his suspected assault that seriously injured three other people was broken up by bystanders -- one armed with a five-foot narwhal tusk and another a fire extinguisher. Video footage of the confrontation showed Khan, 28, being challenged by a man wielding the tusk -- believed to have been taken from a nearby historic hall -- and sprayed with the extinguisher. He had been conditionally released from jail last December after serving less than half of a 16-year sentence for terrorism, and was wearing a suspected fake explosive device. Moments later armed police officers arrived on the scene and shot him dead. Investigators have said they are not actively seeking others in relation to the incident, which recalled a three-man terrorist assault two years ago on London Bridge that killed eight. The latest attack came less than two weeks before Britain's general election, and politicians temporarily suspended campaigning. Security Minister Brandon Lewis said the government would check whether sentences were being dealt with "in a proper way" following Friday's carnage. "After any incident like this, there has to be and always is, a full review and lessons-learned exercise taken forward," he told BBC Radio. "We have to let the investigation complete itself first, but that will absolutely happen." 'Bundle him to the ground' Khan, from Stoke in central England, was handed an indeterminate sentence for public protection in 2012, with at least eight years in prison, along with eight others inspired by Al-Qaeda who had plotted to bomb targets including the London Stock Exchange. They were also found guilty of making longer-term plans including taking part in "terrorist training" in Pakistan. But the sentences of Khan and two co-conspirators were quashed by the Court of Appeal in April 2013 and he received a new 21-year sentence, comprising a maximum custodial term of 16 years. Police on Saturday were reportedly searching a property in Stafford, in central England, thought to be connected to Khan. Police believe he began the attack at Fishmonger's Hall, a historic building said to contain many ancient artefacts on the north side of the bridge. It was hosting an event organised by the University of Cambridge's criminology institute on prisoner rehabilitation, attended by Khan, who reportedly arrived with two knives and the fake suicide vest. Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope said he was "devastated" that the university's staff, students and alumni may have been targeted. The Metropolitan Police appealed for witnesses from the event to come forward. As the attack moved to London Bridge, a throng of people could be seen in videos grappling with Khan on a pedestrian walkway. Tour guide Stevie Hurst told BBC radio that "everyone was just on top of him trying to bundle him to the ground. "I saw that the knife was still in his hand so I just put a foot in to try and kick him in the head: we were trying to do as much as we could to try and dislodge the knife," he said. One man in a suit and tie -- identified by media as a police officer -- was later seen carrying a large knife away. 'Mistake' Attention has swiftly turned to how Khan could have been released from prison after serving less than seven years of his sentence. Inmates are usually released half-way through the type of determinate sentence he was given, and time spent in custody before trial may have been taken into account. The Parole Board said it had no involvement in his release and that it appeared to have happened automatically as required by law. During the attack, Khan wore an electronic tag used to monitor criminal offenders, The Times newspaper reported. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who chaired a meeting of the government's emergencies committee late Friday, said he had "long argued" it was a "mistake to allow serious and violent criminals to come out of prison early." Johnson, who hopes to win a majority in a December 12 election and take Britain of the European Union, praised the emergency services and the public for their response. On November 4, Britain downgraded its terrorism threat level from "severe", the second-highest of five levels, to "substantial" -- the lowest rating in more than five years. The 2017 London Bridge attack involved Islamist extremists in a van who ploughed into pedestrians before attacking people at random with knives in nearby Borough Market. Eight people were killed and 48 wounded. The three attackers, who were wearing fake suicide devices, were shot dead by police.

UK vows review as convicted terrorist named in London attack

A man suspected of stabbing two people to death in a terror attack on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-police-shot-dead-knife-man-at-london-bridge-declare-terrorism-incident-265313">London Bridge </a>was a former prisoner convicted for terrorism offences and released last year, police said Saturday.

Police identified the man, who was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-bridge-shooting-armed-man-gunned-down-by-police-265289">shot dead </a>by officers after Friday's attack, as 28-year-old Usman Khan, saying they were not actively seeking any other suspects in relation to the incident.

"This individual was known to authorities, having been convicted in 2012 for terrorism offences. He was released from prison in December 2018 on licence," Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said in a statement.

Three more people were wounded in the daylight stabbing spree which revived memories of a three-man attack on London Bridge two years ago that killed eight.

Basu said that Khan had been living in the Staffordshire region of central England and officers were searching an address in that area.

"The circumstances, as we currently understand them, are that the attacker attended an event earlier on Friday afternoon at Fishmonger's Hall called 'Learning Together'," the statement said.

"We believe that the attack began inside before he left the building and proceeded onto London Bridge, where he was detained and subsequently confronted and shot by armed officers."

Fishmonger's Hall is a historic listed building on the north side of the bridge in the centre of the capital.

A man suspected of stabbing two people to death in a terror attack on London Bridge was a former prisoner convicted for terrorism offences and released last year, police said Saturday.

A man suspected of stabbing two people to death in a terror attack on London Bridge was a former prisoner convicted for terrorism offences and released last year, police said Saturday. Police identified the man, who was shot dead by officers after Friday's attack, as 28-year-old Usman Khan, saying they were not actively seeking any other suspects in relation to the incident. "This individual was known to authorities, having been convicted in 2012 for terrorism offences. He was released from prison in December 2018 on licence," Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said in a statement. Three more people were wounded in the daylight stabbing spree which revived memories of a three-man attack on London Bridge two years ago that killed eight. Basu said that Khan had been living in the Staffordshire region of central England and officers were searching an address in that area. "The circumstances, as we currently understand them, are that the attacker attended an event earlier on Friday afternoon at Fishmonger's Hall called 'Learning Together'," the statement said. "We believe that the attack began inside before he left the building and proceeded onto London Bridge, where he was detained and subsequently confronted and shot by armed officers." Fishmonger's Hall is a historic listed building on the north side of the bridge in the centre of the capital.

London knife attack suspect was ex-terror convict, say police

British police on Friday shot dead a man who had strapped a fake bomb to his body and stabbed a number of people in what they said was a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-bridge-shooting-armed-man-gunned-down-by-police-265289"> terrorism incident</a> in the London Bridge area of the capital.

Police said they had been alerted at just before 2 pm to a stabbing at premises near London Bridge, the scene of a deadly attack by Islamist militants two years ago.

"A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from the City of London police and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene," the United Kingdom's top counter-terrorism officer, Neil Basu, told reporters.

"A number of other people received injuries during this incident," Basu said. "We believe a device that was strapped to the body of the suspect was a hoax explosive device."

A video posted on Twitter showed a group of about half a dozen men wrestling with someone on the ground on the sidewalk of the bridge. One of them backs away from the scene carrying a knife.

As he looks towards the melee, an armed police officer drags another person away from the man on the floor. Soon after, what sound like two gunshots ring out, and the man on the ground stops moving. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.

Prime Minister returns to London

The ambulance service declared a "major incident" in the area and London Bridge station, a busy commuter hub, was closed.

People in buildings around the scene were evacuated to the north side of the River Thames by security services.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on his way back to Downing Street and Basu said he would be giving him a full briefing.

"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," Johnson said in a statement.

London Bridge was the scene of an attack in June 2017 when three militants drove a van into pedestrians and then attacked people in the surrounding area, killing eight people and injuring at least 48.

Islamic State said its fighters were responsible.

The month before, a suicide bomber killed 22 children and adults and wounded 59 at a packed concert hall in the English city of Manchester, as crowds began leaving a concert by US&nbsp;singer Ariana Grande.

And in March the same year, an attacker stabbed a policeman close to London's parliament buildings after a car ploughed into pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge.

Six people died, including the assailant and the policeman he stabbed, and at least 20 were injured in what police called a "marauding terrorist attack".

Earlier this month, Britain had lowered its national terrorism threat level to "substantial" from "severe", its lowest level since 2014.

British police on Friday shot dead a man who had strapped a fake bomb to his body and stabbed a number of people in what they said was a terrorism incident in the London Bridge area of the capital.

British police on Friday shot dead a man who had strapped a fake bomb to his body and stabbed a number of people in what they said was a terrorism incident in the London Bridge area of the capital. Police said they had been alerted at just before 2 pm to a stabbing at premises near London Bridge, the scene of a deadly attack by Islamist militants two years ago. "A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from the City of London police and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene," the United Kingdom's top counter-terrorism officer, Neil Basu, told reporters. "A number of other people received injuries during this incident," Basu said. "We believe a device that was strapped to the body of the suspect was a hoax explosive device." A video posted on Twitter showed a group of about half a dozen men wrestling with someone on the ground on the sidewalk of the bridge. One of them backs away from the scene carrying a knife. As he looks towards the melee, an armed police officer drags another person away from the man on the floor. Soon after, what sound like two gunshots ring out, and the man on the ground stops moving. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage. Prime Minister returns to London The ambulance service declared a "major incident" in the area and London Bridge station, a busy commuter hub, was closed. People in buildings around the scene were evacuated to the north side of the River Thames by security services. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on his way back to Downing Street and Basu said he would be giving him a full briefing. "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," Johnson said in a statement. London Bridge was the scene of an attack in June 2017 when three militants drove a van into pedestrians and then attacked people in the surrounding area, killing eight people and injuring at least 48. Islamic State said its fighters were responsible. The month before, a suicide bomber killed 22 children and adults and wounded 59 at a packed concert hall in the English city of Manchester, as crowds began leaving a concert by US singer Ariana Grande. And in March the same year, an attacker stabbed a policeman close to London's parliament buildings after a car ploughed into pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge. Six people died, including the assailant and the policeman he stabbed, and at least 20 were injured in what police called a "marauding terrorist attack". Earlier this month, Britain had lowered its national terrorism threat level to "substantial" from "severe", its lowest level since 2014.

London Bridge attack: Suspect shot dead; police declare 'terrorism' incident