London attack suspect: Pictures emerge of man believed to be Westminster terror suspect

Emergency services at the scene outside the Palace of Westminster, London, after policeman has been stabbed and his apparent attacker shot by officers in a major security incident at the Houses of Parliament. (PA)

Pictures have emerged of the man believed to be the suspect in a terror attack on the Houses of Parliament.

He allegedly rammed a car into members of the public on Westminster Bridge before entering the grounds of the Houses of Parliament and stabbing a police officer before he was shot.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.

Pictures show two knives lying on the floor near the man, who appears to be dressed in black.

Two knives, circled in red, lay on the floor near the suspect (PA wire)

Armed officers are also seen standing nearby as he is treated by paramedics.

A counter-terrorism investigation is already under way, police said.

Paramedics fought to save his life and that of his victim on the floor of the cobbled courtyard in front of Parliament with Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood among those who rushed to help.

Giving a statement outside Scotland Yard, police spokesman Commander BJ Harrington said: "A senior national coordinator has declared this a terrorist incident.

"Although we remain open-minded to the motive, a counter-terrorism investigation is already under way led by the Met counter-terrorism command.

"We received a number of different reports which included a body in the river, a car in collision with pedestrians and a man armed with a knife."

He added: "We know there are a number casualties including police officers but at this stage we can not confirm numbers or the nature of these injuries."

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[22 March 2017 14:52 · Samuel Osborne]

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The Independent's deputy political editor Rob Merrick said: "Two men have been shot - one, presumably the assailant looked like he could be dead.

"The second, a police officer, was wounded but moving. I saw at least one man running towards the exit of New Palace Yard, underneath Big Ben.

"Police were shouting at him, presumably to stop and/or drop his weapon. I think I heard two shots.

"A police officer fell to the ground clutching his arm or shoulder.

[22 March 2017 15:00 · Samuel Osborne]

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Two people were seen lying within Old Palace Yard, immediately outside Westminster Hall.

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Minutes after the incident, an emergency services helicopter landed in Parliament Square, as sirens were heard outside.

Air ambulance medics came from the helicopter to assist the casualties.

[22 March 2017 15:02 · Samuel Osborne]

[22 March 2017 15:02 · Samuel Osborne]

Witness Don Brind told the Press Association he heard shots being fired and saw two people apparently injured on the ground.

Mr Brind, a researcher for MPs, said: "I heard some shouting and saw some running out of the corner of my eye and then a short time after that there was a shot. I looked and I saw a civilian on the ground, with somebody standing over him with what I assumed to be a gun.

"Then I looked and about 10 yards away, there was a yellow jacketed person on the ground, who appeared to be alive and talking."

He said he assumed the person in the high-visibility jacket was a police officer.

[22 March 2017 15:06 · Samuel Osborne]

To clarify earlier reports: A police officer been stabbed and an alleged assailant shot by armed police.