London terror attack: police confirm five dead, 40 injured
METROPOLITAN Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley has confirmed five people have now died and 40 injured in the terror attack on Westminster earlier today.
Mark Rowley makes official statement on Westminster attacks
He has announced that the death toll has now rised to five, including the suspected attacker.
The dead police officer was named as Keith Palmer, 48, a husband and father.
Police put Westminster in lockdown after the attack
The number of injured in the attack now stands at 40.
Mr Rowley added that he believed that the police knew who the attacker was.
While police believe there was only one attacker, Mr Rowley said it would be “foolish to be overconfident early on”.
Mark Rowley
Westminster earlier this evening
He confirmed that the police were working on the assumption that the incident was "Islam-related terrorism" but added there was an ongoing investigation.
He added that the police investigation would focuse on the motives of the assailant and to assess to see if he had any associates.
While he reiterrated Prime Minister Theresa May's statement that the country's security level would not rise he said that there would be an increase in the number of police on the streets providing a "visible, reassuring presence".
He said that this would continue for as long as possible.