London terror attack live updates: Seven killed in London Bridge and Borough Market before armed police shoot three suspects dead
Prime Minister warns Britain is in the grip of a spate of copycat terror attacks
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At least seven people were killed and dozens more injured after a van drove into pedestrians on London Bridge and several men then started stabbing passersby in what police said was a terrorist attack.
The incident began on London Bridge when a white transit-style van drove into a crowd of people "at about 50mph", according to witnesses.
Police said the van then drove to the nearby Borough Market where three men began attacking people. Three suspects were shot dead by armed police.
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Three men have been shot dead after killing seven and injuring 48 more with a van and knife attack in London.
The killings on Saturday night were the second terrorist atrocity to hit the country in as many weeks after 22 were killed at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Attackers brought carnage to the streets of the capital, stabbing a police officer and revellers with 12-inch knives, reportedly shouting "this is for Allah".
The trio were pictured wearing what appeared to be explosive vests, with Scotland Yard later confirming they were hoaxes.
Armed police rushed to the scene and shot dead the three male attackers in the Borough Market area near the bridge, as authorities urged Londoners on Twitter to "run, hide, tell" if they were caught up in the violence.
The attacks came just five days ahead of a national parliamentary election on Thursday. The ruling Conservative Party suspended national campaigning on Sunday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said.
"Following updates from police and security officials, I can confirm that the terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism," Ms May said in a statement as events unfolded.
The killings also occurred less than two weeks after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at a pop concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in Manchester in northern England.
The BBC showed a photograph of two possible attackers shot by police, one of whom had canisters strapped to his body. Hours after the attack the area remained sealed off and patrolled by armed police and counter-terrorism officers.
The London Ambulance Service said 48 people had been taken to five hospitals across the city and a number of others had been treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Streets around London Bridge and Borough Market, an area that is a major transport hub and is packed with bars and restaurants, was busy with people on a night out.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan spoke of a "cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night".
Furqan Nabi, a witness to this morning's arrests, said he saw four men lying face down on the floor.
One looked over 50, and another man looked at least 60 years old and had a beard, the 35-year-old neighbour said.
A third man was in his late 20s or early 30s, he said. He could not see the fourth man properly.
Around 20 emergency services vehicles were present, he added.
A scaffolding truck parked inside the police cordon by the block of flats just before 2.30pm.
Workers began bringing equipment round to the right hand side of the apartment block where the flat belonging to those arrested is thought to be.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has hit back at Donald Trump, after the US president accused him of suggesting that people should not be "alarmed" by terror attacks on the capital.
In a series of tweets the morning after the London Bridge atrocity, Mr Trump said it was time to "stop being politically correct", adding: "At least seven dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is 'no reason to be alarmed!"'
But a spokesman for Mr Khan branded the comment "ill-informed" and said the president had deliberately taken out of context remarks made by the mayor to reassure people about the increased police presence in the wake of the attack.
The spokesman added: "The mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services and the Government to co-ordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack and provide leadership and reassurance to Londoners and visitors to our city.
"He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police - including armed officers - on the streets."
Here's our live blog on the One Love Manchester tribute concert this evening, which is taking place despite last night's attack.
The UK will observe a minute's silence on Tuesday and flags will remain at half-mast on Whitehall government buildings, the Government has said.
Images of the van used by the attackers appear to show it is a white Hertz hire van, which also has B&Q branding on it.
A spokesman for Hertz said: "Our thoughts are with those affected by the terrible incident in London last night.
"We are assisting the authorities and are unable to comment further at this stage due to the ongoing police investigation."
A spokesman for B&Q referred all inquiries to the police.
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