The UK terror threat has been increased to the highest level after the so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a Tube.
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Prime Minister Theresa May said the military would provide support to police and would replace them on guard duties on certain sites not accessible to the public.
Police believe countless lives were saved when a crude homemade bucket bomb failed to detonate on a packed train in rush hour this morning.
A ‘fireball’ and ‘wall of flame’ ripped through the London Underground service, with commuters and schoolchildren on the District Line at Parsons Green fleeing in terror after a blast shortly after 8am.
There were reports of widespread panic following the explosion, with one eyewitness describing the scene as ‘total chaotic panic’.
Eyewitnesses reported emergency services treated two different types of injury at the scene, with some suffering from flash burns and others trampled in the chaos that followed. In total 29 people were injured, though none seriously.
Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said: “We are making excellent progress with our lines of enquiry. This is a complex investigation that is continuing at speed.
“We have hundreds of officers trawling CCTV footage, we’ve spoken to many witnesses and taken a large number of calls. We’ve received 77 images and videos taken at the scene that are being investigated for their evidential value. The improvised explosive device on the train has been made safe and taken away for specialist investigation.
“Whilst we chase down the suspects, we are strengthening our policing resources on the streets of London and across the country. The public should expect to see additional armed officers, the use of stop and search using counter terrorism powers and road checks.
“You would have heard from the prime minister that the threat level is now critical and I have asked government ministers to use members of the military to free up extra police resources.
“I ask the public to remain vigilant as they go about their weekend.”
