The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is co-ordinating the emergency service response to yesterday's explosions in London. A huge police investigation is underway and there will be more police on the streets to assist and reassure the public. The Met is not aware of any further specific threat, but is advising the public to remain vigilant at all times and to phone the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 if they have any specific information.
There was a press conference for national and international media this morning at the emergency services' co-ordination centre at the QE2 Centre. Present were the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations, Andy Hayman.
Commissioner Sir Ian Blair opened the press conference by expressing sympathy on behalf of the Metropolitan Police to families of those who had died and those who have been injured. He expressed great admiration for the people of London and said the Met has received great support from all communities in the capital. He said that all faith groups have unequivocally condemned this atrocity and police and other services are working as one united community.
Sir Ian paid tribute to the emergency services, health services and local authorities. He said that the city's emergency procedures were well practised and had been working very well. The Commissioner said the Metropolitan Police had an "implacable resolve to track down those who are responsible for these terrible events."
Sir Ian confirmed there were four blast sites (three underground and one on the bus), not six as briefly thought.
There is no evidence to suggest that the attacks were the result of suicide bombings although this cannot be ruled out.
The number of deaths stands at more than 50. There were 700 casualties, 350 of whom were treated at the scene, 350 of whom have been treated at hospital. 22 people are in a serious condition in hospital and one person has since died.
There have been more than 104,000 calls into the Casualty Bureau. Calls reached their peak between 3 and 4pm yesterday when we received over 42,000 calls. Members of the public who remain concerned about relatives or friends who may have been affected by these incidents and have been unable to contact them directly are asked to contact the Casualty Bureau on 0870 156 6344 or 020 7158 0010 . If you are calling from outside the UK the number you should dial is + 44 20 7158 0010. If you contacted us previously to say a friend or relative was missing but now know they are safe, please contact us on this number. It is very important that we have this information so we gain an accurate picture of who is still missing.
We now additionally have a typetalk number for people with hearing difficulties who are concerned about friends or relatives on 18001 0870 1566344.
AC Andy Hayman outlined the work being undertaken as part of the police investigation. He said that the MPS is working with the community and partners and is determined to identify and successfully prosecute those responsible.
He was not able to say how the devices had been detonated but confirmed that each device on the trains was placed on floor of a carriage, and on the bus a device was placed on the floor or seats.
AC Hayman said the investigation faced two immediate major challenges:
Forensic recovery - scenes are very challenging and staff are working under extreme circumstances. Andy Hayman said this process could not be rushed and he appealed for patience while this painstaking work is in progress.
Evidence gathering - this includes viewing CCTV and as there are a number of scenes involved will also take time. AC Hayman asked for the public's help and said that anyone who thinks they have relevant information should phone the Anti-Terrorist Branch Hotline on 0800 789 321.
A number of questions followed. The Commissioner and AC Hayman confirmed the following:
The investigation does bear the hallmarks of an Al-Qaeda attack, but this is only the beginning of a very long investigation, so the MPS cannot make this assumption.
Any change to the threat level is determined on advice of the Security Services. The MPS has not reduced its vigilance in any way in recent months.
Commenting on the possibility of further attacks, Sir Ian said that there is likely to be a cell operating in the UK and we must remain vigilant. All police forces in the UK will be increasing their presence on the ground and will work alongside communities.
Substantial numbers of staff are working on this operation and the MPS has had offers of help from Europe and the United States
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