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Ariana Grande and a galaxy of superstars defy hate-mongers with stunning show for the victims of Manchester bombing, just 24 hours after extremists kill seven on the streets of London in latest terrorist outrage
BRAVE police officers and members of the public who put their lives on the line to stop the London Bridge terrorists prevented the death toll from being far greater, it emerged yesterday.
A British Transport Police officer armed only with a baton was stabbed in the face, head and leg as he took on the three attackers armed with 12-inch hunting knives.
The unnamed officer, who was among the first people on the scene, was in a stable condition last night.
He was joined by an off-duty Met Police officer, who reportedly took on the killers with his bare hands.
The PC, who also suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, remained in hospital last night.
Two more Met Police officers were injured while tackling the terrorists.
Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh said: “They are heroes. This incident reiterates to the public what my colleagues do on a daily basis – they run towards the danger.”
Meanwhile, hero revellers hurled chairs and tables and even punched the evil attackers in a desperate bid to halt their deadly rampage.
Eyewitnesses said the bravery of diners and drinkers prevented the death toll of Saturday night’s attack being far greater.
Seven people died and 48 were injured when the attackers drove a hire van at pedestrians on the bridge before getting out of the vehicle and stabbing people enjoying a summer’s evening out at nearby Borough Market.
The killers were shot dead by armed police just eight minutes after the first emergency call was made.
A member of the public was shot in the head after being caught in the crossfire but the man was expected to make a full recovery.
Chief Constable Paul Crowther, from British Transport Police, said his officer was in a stable condition but seriously ill.
He added: “Having visited the officer in hospital shortly after he was admitted for treatment, I was able to hear his account of what happened last night.
“It became clear that he showed enormous courage in the face of danger, as did many others who were at the scene and rushed to help.
“Although he is seriously unwell, he was able to recount how he faced the attackers armed only with his baton outside London Bridge station.”
The attack started when three men, one of whom was wearing an Arsenal shirt, drove a van on to London Bridge at 9.58pm.
Swerving on and off the pavement at speeds of up to 50mph, they hit a number of pedestrians, including a pregnant woman, and sent one victim flying “20ft in the air”.
After smashing into railings, they got out. The killers were filmed calmly strolling past the Market Porter pub moments after abandoning the van.
They then started indiscriminately beating and stabbing men and women in nearby bars and restaurants.
As they slashed victims’ throats, they shouted: “This is for Allah.”
Crowds in the bars fought back, hurling pint glasses, bottles and chairs at the attackers.
It was revealed that police fired an “unprecedented” 50 bullets to kill the terrorists, because they believed the men were wearing explosives.
Images on social media showed two of the attackers dead on the ground.
One of them, in front of the Wheatsheaf pub, had what appeared to be canisters strapped to his abdomen. It turned out to be a fake suicide belt.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the country’s head of counterterrorism, said: “The situation these officers were confronted with was critical, a matter of life and death – three armed men wearing what appeared to be suicide belts.
“As the officers confronted a terrorist, a member of the public also suffered a gunshot wound.
“Although the injuries are not critical in nature, they are in hospital receiving medical attention.”
Saturday’s terror attack was the third in the UK in just more than 10 weeks – after the Westminster Bridge attack on March 22 and the Manchester Arena suicide bombing on May 22.
A total of 34 people have been killed in the atrocities, along with five attackers.
Theresa May said the latest attack – which Isis last night claimed was carried out by a “security unit” of their fighters – wasn’t directly connected to the previous two but that all three are linked by the single “evil ideology of Islamist extremism”.
The Prime Minister promised a fresh crackdown on terrorism as she warned Britain faces a “new trend” of jihadis inspiring one another to carry out attacks.
She said: “It is time to say enough is enough. Everybody needs to go about their lives as they normally would.”
The General Election will go ahead
He showed enormous courage in the face of danger, as did many others PAUL CROWTHER
as planned on Thursday but official campaigning was suspended until today.
During a huge police investigation into a possible terror network linked to the London Bridge attackers, 12 people were arrested yesterday in a dramatic raid at block of flats where one of the men reportedly lived.
Neighbours reported hearing shots being fired as heavily armed police stormed a tower block in Barking, east London, at around 7am.
Meanwhile, the Ariana Grande benefit concert for the Manchester bombing victims went ahead last night “with greater purpose”. The singer said she was “praying for London”.
London mayor Sadiq Khan, who condemned the “deliberate and cowardly” attack, will lead a vigil at Potters Fields Park – near the scene of the atrocity – from 6pm today.
He urged people nationwide to observe a minute’s silence at 6.20pm in memory of the victims.
Khan added: “I want to express my deepest gratitude on behalf of all Londoners to the police and emergency services for the speed and bravery of their response.
“Our city – the greatest city in the world – will never forget the innocent victims who lost their lives.
“By standing together as a city, we will send a powerful message that Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.”
A JOURNALIST who came to the aid of a wounded bouncer was left in intensive care after being stabbed in the throat.
Geoff Ho tried to defend a doorman who had been stabbed outside the Southwark Tavern pub in Borough Market.
The Sunday Express business editor was filmed clutching his neck as he was led away.
Geoff wrote on Facebook: “Don’t know whether it was stupid or noble to break up the