MP Thanks Security Services After Westminster Attack

A police officer has been stabbed in the Houses of Parliament in central London, with multiple casualties on Westminster Bridge in what police are treating as a terrorist incident.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas was in the House of Commons at the time of the attack, around an hour earlier noting he was pleased to meet up with Wrexham RBL members at a Wales Reception.

Pleased to catch up with @Wrexham Royal British Legion at Wales Reception in Parliament: lots going on at the moment!

— Ian Lucas (@IanCLucas) March 22, 2017

Minutes after the attack he tweeted to say:

In Chamber. Fine and thinking of those taking care of us.

— Ian Lucas (@IanCLucas) March 22, 2017

Parliament has now been suspended for the day as politicians and staff remain locked inside and a full building security sweep takes place.

Commons Leader David Lidington told MPs the “alleged assailant was shot by armed police”.

MPs said they had heard three or four gunshots.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Prime Minister Theresa May was “OK”.

Witnesses report seeing several people being “mowed down” by a vehicle on Westminster Bridge

London Ambulance Service confirm 'number of crews' attending Westminster incident, along with Hazardous Area Response Team. pic.twitter.com/jpNfTx5sm2

— BREAKING.UK (@BreakingDotUK) March 22, 2017

Met Police say: “We were called at approximately 14:40 hours to reports of an incident in Westminster Bridge, SW1. It is being treated as a firearms incident.

Officers – including firearms officers – remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise.”

Incredibly brave @metpoliceuk anti-terror officers co-ordinating a lockdown & evacuation after #ParliamentAttack pic.twitter.com/XFv6KoNpm4

— George Freeman MP (@Freeman_George) March 22, 2017

London Ambulance Service Deputy Director of Operations Pauline Cranmer said: “We were called at 2.40pm to Westminster Bridge to reports of an incident, with the first crew arriving within six minutes.

“We have sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, London’s Air Ambulance and our Hazardous Area Response Team.

“We are working closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene, with our priority being to ensure patients receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.

“We have declared a major incident and our priority is to assess patients and ensure that they are treated and taken to hospital as soon as possible.

“As we are very busy dealing with this incident, we would ask the public to only call us in a genuine emergency.”