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

London terror attack: Everything we know so far

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.

If you are having trouble viewing this in your browser click here.

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".

Key Points

• Isis claims responsibility saying a 'detachment' of its fighters carried out attack
• Canadian Christine Archibald named as one of those killed
• Witness: 'I looked terrorist directly in the eye - then he started walking towards us'
• Jeremy Corbyn tells Theresa May 'you cannot protect public on the cheap'
• Theresa May says attack shows Britain is too tolerant of extremism
• Internet must now be regulated, Prime Minister says
• Donald Trump tweets unconfirmed reports before using attack to promote travel ban
• Seven people killed after van crashes into public and passersby are stabbed
• Timeline of events
• What we know so far

[4 June 2017 21:33 · Ed Malyon]

[4 June 2017 21:59 · Ed Malyon]

The latest advice from the UK's anti-terror police:

[4 June 2017 22:21 · Ed Malyon]

The Metropolitan Police have released a statement saying one of the five men arrested under the Terrorism Act today have been released without charge.

Seven women have also been arrested, making up 12 arrests in all. The youngest arrested was a 19-year-old woman and the oldest a 60-year-old woman. Police are at present investigating four properties.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said: “We would like to thank the media for their continued support, restraint and understanding in not speculating as to who the suspects are in this fast moving investigation.

“I would like to assure them and the public that this is directly assisting the progression of the investigation and confirm we will release the identities of the three men directly responsible for the attacks yesterday, Saturday, 3 June, as soon as operationally possible.

“Officers have been working tirelessly to process the crime scenes and release the cordons. We are hopeful that some of the cordons around London Bridge station will be released during the course of tomorrow morning but consult TFL website before you set out on your journey’s into and around London tomorrow.

“The public can expect to see additional police – both armed and unarmed officers - across the Capital as you would expect in these circumstances. And our security and policing plans for events are being reviewed, the public will also see increased physical measures on London’s bridges to keep the public safe.”

[4 June 2017 22:24 · Ed Malyon]

Breaking: First victim named

A British Columbia woman called Christine Archibald has been identified as the Canadian killed in the London terror attack that left seven people dead, according to reports.

[4 June 2017 22:26 · Ed Malyon]

The family of Canadian victim identified as Christine Archibald, the first fatality named, has released a statement describing her as  their "beautiful, loving daughter and sister":

[4 June 2017 22:35 · Ed Malyon]

[4 June 2017 22:41 · Ed Malyon]

Breaking: Isis has claimed responsibility for the London terror attack through its Amaq 'news agency'.

It said a “detachment” of its fighters had carried out the attack.

[4 June 2017 23:35 · Ed Malyon]

[4 June 2017 23:53 · Ed Malyon]

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin has been lit up in the colours of the Union Jack in honor of the London attack victims.

[5 June 2017 00:41 · Ed Malyon]

Christine Archibald, a Canadian woman killed in the attacks, died in her fiance's arms, his sister has told CBC News. "He is broken in a million pieces," Cassie Ferguson says of her brother Tyler.