Police shoot man dead after London stabbing incident described as terrorism
Police shot dead a man in south London on Sunday after two people were stabbed in what police described as a terrorism-related incident.
Armed officers shot the man in Streatham, a busy residential district south of the River Thames.
“The circumstances are being assessed; the incident has been declared as terrorist-related,” the police said on Twitter.
Police said later the man they had shot had been pronounced dead, and two people had been wounded.
“We await updates on their condition,” police said, adding the scene of the incident was now fully contained.
Karker Tahir, a man who was working nearby, told Sky News that the man was shot three times. Police had told people in the area to leave because the man had a bomb in his bag, Tahir said.
A Western security source said the incident was related to Islamist militancy.
Armed police and ambulances all over #streatham pic.twitter.com/XRlHXE2mYX
— Alanah Murphy (@lanahmurphy) February 2, 2020
Armed police cordoned off the area and said people should avoid the area.
Several videos of the scene were posted on Twitter, but not verified by Reuters. In one, filmed from inside a shop across the road, a man can be seen lying on the street while at least two armed police officers point their guns from behind an unmarked car with its blue lights flashing.
At least one helicopter flew overhead and police cars were in surrounding streets, with the area blocked off by tape.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter: “Thank you to all emergency services responding to the incident in Streatham, which the police have now declared as terrorism-related”.
“My thoughts are with the injured and all those affected,” he added.
The last such incident in London was in November, when police shot dead a man wearing a fake suicide vest who stabbed two people to death and wounded three more before being wrestled to the ground by bystanders.
That attack was carried out by a man with Islamist militant sympathies. He had been jailed for terrorism and released early.
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said in a statement after Sunday’s incident: “Terrorists seek to divide us and to destroy our way of life – here in London we will never let them succeed.”
Help Us Sustain Ad-Free Journalism
Sorry, I Need To Put Out the Begging Bowl
Independent Journalism Needs You
Our unwavering dedication is to provide you with unbiased news, diverse perspectives, and insightful opinions. We're on a mission to ensure that those in positions of power are held accountable for their actions, but we can't do it alone. Labour Heartlands is primarily funded by me, Paul Knaggs, and by the generous contributions of readers like you. Your donations keep us going and help us uphold the principles of independent journalism. Join us in our quest for truth, transparency, and accountability – donate today and be a part of our mission!
Like everyone else, we're facing challenges, and we need your help to stay online and continue providing crucial journalism. Every contribution, no matter how small, goes a long way in helping us thrive. By becoming one of our donors, you become a vital part of our mission to uncover the truth and uphold the values of democracy.
While we maintain our independence from political affiliations, we stand united against corruption, injustice, and the erosion of free speech, truth, and democracy. We believe in the power of accurate information in a democracy, and we consider facts non-negotiable.
Your support, no matter the amount, can make a significant impact. Together, we can make a difference and continue our journey toward a more informed and just society.
Thank you for supporting Labour Heartlands
