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.

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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".

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 01:09 · Andrew Griffin]

Witness Eric was on the south side of London Bridge when he saw the van on the wrong side of the road.

He told BBC Radio 5Live: "It veered to the right and people were trying to run away from it."

When it stopped, he said three people got out and he thought they were going to help the people who had been hit.

"But the three people literally started kicking them, punching them, and took out knives. It was a rampage really," he said.

The three men ran off towards the nearby bars and restaurants and there was a shout of "this is for Allah", he added.

[4 June 2017 01:12 · Andrew Griffin]

Here's a full statement from the London ambulance service

[4 June 2017 01:16 · Andrew Griffin]

"Dreadful news from London. My thoughts are with all those affected," said Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Twitter.

[4 June 2017 01:17 · Andrew Griffin]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter: "Awful news from London tonight. We're monitoring the situation." He urged Canadians in need to call the emergency number 00800 2326 6831 or email sos@international.gc.ca

[4 June 2017 01:18 · Andrew Griffin]

Emergency services were seen treating people lying injured at the junction of Thrale Street and Southwark Street, near Borough Market.

One woman was taken away on a stretcher while others sat injured on the ground, with shocked people crying and shouting around them.

Frightened people were led up Southwark Street away from Southwark Bridge Road, and police officers were seen screaming to people and ordering them to run.

Many were in tears, with friends supporting each other and carrying people up the road.

Cordons were put up across Southwark Street before repeatedly being pushed back as police widened the critical zone around Borough Market.

[4 June 2017 01:19 · Andrew Griffin]

National Rail has said lines at London Bridge station will be reopened shortly.

[4 June 2017 01:26 · Andrew Griffin]

Businessman and philanthropist Richard Branson writes on Twitter: "Thoughts with everyone affected by the events in London. Keep safe and look out for each other."

[4 June 2017 01:28 · Andrew Griffin]

The ambulance service has asked people to make sure they only call 999 in cases of a genuine emergency, as they are busy responding to tonight's incidents.

[4 June 2017 01:30 · Andrew Griffin]

Alex Shellum was in The Mudlark pub, close to London Bridge, at around 10pm when a woman in her early 20s "staggered into the pub".

"She was bleeding heavily from the neck and from her mouth," he told BBC News.

"It appeared to myself and to my friends that her throat had been cut. People went to her aid."

He said the pub was then closed and armed police told them to leave the area.

He said: "I could see on my left a further individual was having CPR performed on them by the emergency services."

[4 June 2017 01:32 · Andrew Griffin]

Loud bangs have been heard near Borough Market, according to a Reuters reporter on the scene.