Standing strong together in the face of evil

STANDING brave in the face of terrorism might seem like the best response and this is certainly what the people of London have tried their best to do this past week.

There has been a lot of discussion about security systems quite a few experts are of the opinion that in fact, the system in place worked and did what it was meant to do, namely keep an active terrorist out of Westminster.

However, while Khalid Masood was shot by police just a few yards inside the gate, unfortunately five precious lives were taken and dozens of others were injured. These people who were murdered were good and innocent people - going about their every day lives, and in the case of police officer Keith Palmer - trying to protect others.

While it is brave to say that terror must not be allowed to intimidate the masses, or disrupt life any further, it would be naive of people not to be apprehensive walking around cities such as London, where as security experts said it was not a matter of ‘if ’ a terror attack would take place, but rather ‘when’.

How can the threat of such terror being inflicted on any city not loom in people’s minds, every time they get on public transport, or congregate in a central location?

It was an act that was expected by many, and while life must go on, and these monsters cannot be afforded any control, it is only human to be afraid of such evil. Dealing with a person, or persons with such a dramatic disconnect from humanity is something that no security expert can prepare for, nor can they predict when and where a so-called ‘ lone wolf ’ will strike. They don’t see people, they just see a statement to be made and a ‘message’ to be spread.

They are cold, calculating and on a mission with nothing to lose which makes them all the more dangerous.

The very nature of these attacks is unpredictable and frenzied, and they are over as quickly as they started - leaving devastation all around.

I can understand why politicians and the general public are keen to stand strong in the face of such evil, if for no other reason, but as a tribute to those who have lost their lives through these cowardly acts.

While it is easy to send this message, it is infinitely more difficult to actually believe it and to stay strong at heart.

While Khalid Masood was shot by police just a few yards inside the gate, unfortunately five precious lives were taken and dozens of others were injured.