British prime minister supports police ‘shoot to kill’ policy in London attacks

LONDON, UK. (NEWS 1130) – As the country tries to come to grips with yet another devastating terror attack, the British prime minister is stepping up in the defence of how police officers handled this past Saturday’s London Bridge attacks.

Prime Minister Theresa May says she supports the “shoot to kill” policy used by London police in responding to terror attacks. May says police saved “countless lives” by killing the three London bridge attackers within just eight minutes over the weekend.

May says police counter-terrorism resources are well-funded despite recent cuts to police staffing levels. She has been criticized for staff cuts during her tenure as Home Secretary.

She adds Britain must do “more, much more” to fight Islamic extremism. She called it “an evil ideology” that perverts Islam and perverts the truth. The prime minister says her administration will review its counter-terrorism strategy and consider extending prison terms.
Police have identified all the London Bridge attackers and they say 11 people remain in custody for possible connections to the attack.

One person has been released without charge while police raids continue.

May says her nation’s terror threat level remains at “severe,” meaning an attack in highly likely.

We are all shocked and angry today – but this is our city. We will never let these cowards win and we will never be cowed by terrorism. pic.twitter.com/kcosumkdCR

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 4, 2017

This morning London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Police Commissioner Cressida Dick toured the site of the London Bridge attack and praised the quick police work that they said prevented further deaths. Dick said the attack was “ghastly” but that Londoners are pulling together and refusing to be cowed by terrorists.

She said providing more firearms for London police would not be a sound solution to the increased tempo of terrorist attacks, saying the strategy of heavily armed, highly mobile specialty teams is effective. The mayor and the commissioner were briefly heckled by a man who called for more police to be put on the streets.

Police have identified two of the suspects as Khuram Shazad Butt and Rachid Redouane.

BC woman killed in attacks

A woman from Castlegar has been identified as the Canadian killed in a terror attack in London.

Christine “Chrissy” Archibald’s family has released a statement saying she died Saturday in the attack on London Bridge and a bustling market that left seven people dead.

“We grieve the loss of our beautiful, loving daughter and sister. She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected. She lived this belief working in a shelter for the homeless until she moved to Europe to be with her fiancé. She would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death. Please honour her by making your community a better place. Volunteer your time and labor or donate to a homeless shelter. Tell them Chrissy sent you.”

Consular services are being provided to the family and friends of the victim, in Canada and in the United Kingdom.