London attack: Vigil to be held in Trafalgar Square to remember victims of Westminster terror incident

Sadiq Khan encourages Londoners and visitors to attend today (Thursday) at 6pm in Trafalgar Square

The sun sets behind the Houses of Parliament after an attack on Westminster Bridge in London (Reuters)

A vigil is to be held to remember the victims of the attack in Westminster, the Mayor of London has announced.

Sadiq Khan has encouraged Londoners and visitors to attend the event, which will take place today (Thursday) at 6pm in Trafalgar Square, to “remember the victims of yesterday’s attack and stand against terrorism”.

Two members of the public and a police officer have died and dozens more were injured after the attacker mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and ploughed his car into pedestrians, before fatally stabbing a police officer outside Parliament.

In a statement released on Thursday morning, the Mayor’s Office invited people to “come together in solidarity” with the victims and their families, and urged that London would “stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and destroy our way of life.

“The Mayor invites all Londoners – and everyone visiting our city - to come together in solidarity to remember those who have lost their lives, to express sympathy with their families and loved ones and to show the world that we are more committed than ever to the values that we hold dear – that we remain united and open,” the statement read.

Shortly after the attacks, Mr Khan released a video message in which he said Londoners would "never be cowed by terrorism".

"London is the greatest city in the world, and we stand together in the face of those who seek to harm us and our way of life," the Mayor said.

"We always have and we always will.

"There will be additional armed and unarmed police officers on our streets from tonight in order to keep Londoners, and all those visiting our city, safe.

"I want to reassure all Londoners, and all our visitors, not to be alarmed."

Communities around the world have shown solidarity with those affected by Wednesday's Westminster terror attack through a series of poignant gestures.

As midnight fell in France on Thursday night, the Eiffel Tower switched its lights off to honour those killed in the London massacre.

Elsewhere, Ron Huldai, the mayor of Tel Aviv, posted images of the City Hall building in Israel, illuminated in red, white and blue.