The National Threat Level remains unchanged after the killing of a man in Woolwich; the current threat level from international terrorism for the UK is assessed as substantial. The authorities urged people to remain calm, and avoid unnecessary speculation, after the killing of a man in Woolwich on Wednesday afternoon, May 22. The incident occurred between Grand Depot Road and the A2204 New Ferry Approach/A206 Woolwich High Street (Woolwich Ferry Roundabout).
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, said later in the day: “It is hard to comprehend the shocking and horrific scenes we have seen this afternoon on a busy street as Londoners went about their day as normal. We have launched a murder investigation, being led by the Counter Terrorism Command. Two men have been arrested in connection with that murder.
“We understand concern about the motivation and we will work tirelessly to uncover why this occurred and who was responsible. I understand people want answers, but I must stress we are in the early stages of investigations. I would urge everyone to remain calm and have a measured response to today’s tragic events.”
“In Greenwich we have met with community representatives, and extra officers remain on duty there tonight. Across London our officers are in contact with their communities too. The shock that we all feel at what has happened must bind us together.”
Anyone with any information or witnesses are asked to contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321. Anyone who has still or moving images of the incident at Woolwich are asked to send them to: [email protected] – include your name and contact details, which will be treated in strictest confidence.
For the Anti Terrorist Hotline call 0800 789 321 Visit – http://www.met.police.uk/so/at_hotline.htm
David Cameron the Prime Minister asked the Home Secretary Theresa May to hold a meeting of the government’s emergency co-ordination group, COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing Room). Speaking in Paris on the evening of May 22 the PM said: “I’ve been briefed by the Home Secretary about this absolutely sickening attack in Woolwich in London. It is the most appalling crime. We are urgently seeking, and the police are urgently seeking, the full facts about this case. But there are strong indications that it is a terrorist incident. Two people at the scene of the murder were wounded by the police, and they are being treated as suspects.
“The Home Secretary is chairing COBR tonight (22 May) to bring together the police, the security services – all of the agencies – so that we gather every piece of information that we can. The police and the security services in the UK will get all of the support that they need to deal with this, or indeed with any other incident. I’ll be returning to London later tonight so that I can chair a COBR meeting again in the morning to make sure that we have all of the facts of this case. Tonight our thoughts should be with the victim, with their family, with their friends. People across Britain, people in every community, I believe, will utterly condemn this attack. We have had these sorts of attacks before in our country, and we never buckle in the face of them.
Speaking after chairing the first COBR meeting, the Home Secretary Theresa May said: “What happened today in Woolwich was a sickening and barbaric attack. I have been briefed by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Director General of the Security Service, and this evening I chaired a meeting of COBR. The police and Security Service are establishing the full facts of this barbaric case, but there is a strong indication that it was an act of terrorism. The Prime Minister is returning to London and will chair another COBR meeting in the morning. In the meantime, security has been increased at Army barracks across London. This attack was an attack on everyone in the United Kingdom, and it will be condemned by people from every community. Our thoughts and prayers tonight are with the victim and his family. We have seen terrorism on the streets of Britain before, and have always stood firm against it. Despicable acts like these will not go unpunished.”
Chris Roberts, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “We are deeply shocked by today’s events by the Barracks in Woolwich and our thoughts are with the family of the victim. Greenwich is a borough whose history and evolution is intertwined with military, both army and navy, and any attack by the Barracks feels like a strike at the heart of our community.”
