'Van hit one person 20 feet into the air'

Attacks a perversion of Islam, anti-terror strategy must be reviewed, says British PM

THREE attackers drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing revellers nearby yesterday night, killing at least seven — including a Canadian — in what Britain said was the work of Islamist militants engaged in a “new trend” of terrorism.

At least 48 people were injured in the attack, 21 critically.

The attack is the third to hit Britain in less than three months and occurring days ahead of a snap parliamentary election on Thursday.

Police shot dead the three male assailants in the Borough Market area near the bridge within eight minutes of receiving the first emergency call shortly after 10pm.

British counterterrorism police yesterday said they had arrested 12 people in Barking here in connection with the attack.

“We believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face as terrorism breeds terrorism,” Prime Minisbustling ter Theresa May said in a televised statement yesterday in front of her Downing Street office, where flags flew at half-mast.

“Perpetrators are inspired to attack not only on the basis of carefully constructed plots... and not even as lone attackers radicalised online, but by copying one another and often using the crudest of means of attack.”

She said the attacks represented a perversion of Islam and that Britain’s counterterrorism strategy must be reviewed, adding: “It is time to say enough is enough.”

Most of the main political parties suspended national campaigning yesterday, but May said campaigning would resume today and that the election would go ahead as planned.

London Bridge is a major transport hub and nearby Borough Market is a fashionable warren of alleyways packed with bars and restaurants that is always on weekends. The area remained cordoned off and patrolled by armed police and counterterrorism officers yesterday, with train stations closed. Forensic investigators could be seen working on the bridge, where buses and taxis stood abandoned.

The three attackers were wearing what looked like explosive vests that were later found to have been fake.

May said the assailants’ aim had been to sow panic.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it did not appear that there was a link between the attackers and the Manchester bombing.