
A married father-of-two and a Moroccan-Libyan 30-year-old can now be revealed as two of the London Bridge terrorists who murdered seven people in the capital city massacre.

The killer in an Arsenal shirt can today be named as British extremist Khuram Butt who was filmed unfurling an ISIS flag on national TV and was reported to the police twice but still managed to launch murder on Britain's streets.

Butt, 27, a married father of two nicknamed 'Abz' who was born in Pakistan, was so extreme he called fellow Muslims without beards non-believers, would not speak to women directly and was banned from a mosque for berating worshippers for being 'un-Islamic'.

It also transpired tonight that he launched a vile torrent of abuse in the wake of the murder of Lee Rigby when he volleyed threats at a leading Muslim figure for speaking out against the brigadier's murderers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale. The soldier was butchered outside barracks in Woolwich with knives back in May 2013 much in the same way Butt's victims were killed in the same city.

Butt was known to both the police and MI5 who are awaiting what they described as international confirmation before naming the third terrorist as it emerged Molotov cocktails were found in the hired vehicle used in the rampage. The force probed his extremist Islamic views two years ago, but his file slid down the priority list because it was deemed he wasn’t planning an attack.

The football fan, who worked at KFC and Transport for London, wore an Arsenal shirt under his fake suicide belt as he and two friends crashed the van into crowds on London Bridge before slashing at people with large knives murdering seven people and leaving 48 injured on Saturday night.

One of the friends has been named as Rachid Redouane - a pastry chef who was living in Ireland having married a Scottish wife. He was not on anyone's radar as a terrorist and also used the name Rachid Elkhdar, claiming to be six years younger, and the mother of his 18-month-old child is said to have been among 12 arrested and released without charge in connection with Saturday night’s attack.

Two of the three terrorists - Khuram Butt (left) and Rachid Redouane (right) - who massacred seven people in a rampage which started on London Bridge on Saturday night

Khuram Butt, 27, a married father of two, appeared on the Channel 4 documentary The Jihadi Next Door (left) and wore an Arsenal shirt (right) as he and two friends crashed their van into crowds on London Bridge before slashing at people with large knives murdering seven people and leaving 48 injured

Butt and his fellow murderers were shot dead inside Borough Market and wore fake suicide vests as they ran down people with a white van and then stabbed and slashed people on Saturday night

Khuram Butt, pictured, who was one of three terrorists shot dead by police after launching a deadly attack on London Bridge

The third murderer has yet to be named by the Metropolitan Police, who said although Butt was on their watch list, there was no evidence he was planning an attack and therefore his file was not deemed a priority.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley denied his force or MI5 were at fault and said: ‘In the work looking backwards that we have done so far I have not seen anything that shows a poor decision has been made.

‘Of course we will probably discover information in covert communications that if we had known about it would have changed our judgment. But I am not aware of having anything in our hands that makes these the wrong decisions.

'There was no intelligence to suggest that this attack was being planned and the investigation had been prioritised accordingly.

'Work is ongoing to understand more about them, their connections and whether they were assisted or supported by anyone else.'

Butt's involvement is doubly embarrassing for police and the security services because he appeared in a TV documentary last year about British jihadis – and was also involved in a filmed altercation with police in a pair of Rayban sunglasses after he unfurled an ISIS flag in Regent's Park.

He was known to both MI5 and the police and he was still able to murder seven people Khuram Butt was known to both MI5 and the police. Despite being on the counter-terror watch list, there was no evidence he was planning an attack and therefore his file was not deemed a priority. Butt's involvement is doubly embarrassing for police and the security services because he appeared in a TV documentary last year about British jihadis – and was also involved in a filmed altercation with police in a pair of Rayban sunglasses after he unfurled an ISIS flag in Regent's Park. On Channel 4's The Jihadis Next Door he was caught on camera alongside two notorious preachers who were well known to police and intelligence officials because of their extremist views. He was reported to the anti-terror hotline after he became radicalised by watching extremist videos on YouTube and police were later warned about the suspect radicalising children in a local park two years ago - giving them sweets and money to listen to him. A friend said he was never contacted by the police or MI5 about his concerns, adding: 'I did my bit, I know other people did their bit but the authorities did not do their bit'. Figures show the agency is managing around 500 active investigations involving around 3,000 individuals at any one time. But in addition there are also a larger pool of as many as 20,000 people who have been considered at some point in the past but are not included in the live probes. The spotlight has fallen on how closely those in the second, larger group are monitored after it emerged that the Manchester attacker Salman Abedi was a former subject of interest. Advertisement

On Channel 4's The Jihadis Next Door he was caught on camera alongside two notorious preachers who were well known to police and intelligence officials because of their extremist views.

He was reported to the anti-terror hotline after he became radicalised by watching extremist videos on YouTube and police were later warned about the suspect radicalising children in a local park two years ago - giving them sweets and money to listen to him.

A friend said he was never contacted by the police or MI5 about his concerns, adding: 'I did my bit, I know other people did their bit but the authorities did not do their bit'.

It also transpired tonight Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said: 'I was verballed assaulted by Khuram Butt one of the London Bridge killers the day after the brutal murder of Lee Rigby in May 2013.

'This took place on College Green, Westminster.

'Khuram Butt was with Anjem Choudhury the well known extremist and terrorist sympathiser.

'Khuram Butt called me a "Murtad" which means traitor in Arabic and accused me of being a government stooge when I confronted Anjem Choudhury about him supporting terrorism and my public campaign against Lee Rigby's murder.

'The police turned up and Anjum, Khuram Butt and two other men were escorted away towards Millbank and I stayed in College Green.

'It is clear that Anjem Choudhury and his band of terrorist sympathisers were known to the Police for many years.

'Many of us in the British Muslim community have been demanding action against these extremists to no avail.

'I am not surprised that Khuram Butt carried out the terrorist attack and there are serious questions for the authorities.

'As in the Manchester terrorist attack, members of the Muslim community are reporting their suspicions about potential extremists which reinforces the strong links between the Muslim community and the police.

'What is clear that Anjem Choudhury, Khuram Butt and their group of terrorist sympathisers have been known to authorities and nothing was done for years.

'I call for an immediate investigation into what the police knew, what was done and why action was not taken against them.'

Butt turned to terror after being radicalised by hate preachers.

He lived off benefits and drifted in and out of jobs including a stint on the London Underground.

Near his home in Barking he would try to lure schoolchildren into his dark world by offering sweets and cash and lecturing them on Allah.

Shocked parents reported him to police for defending the Lee Rigby and Charlie Hebdo attacks and ‘brainwashing’ their children who came home asking: ‘Mummy, can we become Muslims?’

In 2015, Butt prepared to abandon his pregnant wife Zahrah to wage holy war in Syria, according to a relative, who said: ‘He once said I was a non-believer because I chose not to keep a beard.

'He refused to shake my hand (at Eid 2015) saying “I don’t shake hands with kuffars”.’

Khuram Butt, one of the three London Bridge terrorists, is thought to have worked at this KFC near Eastham Tube station

He was also involved in a filmed altercation with police after an ISIS-type flag was unfurled in Regent's Park in the documentary where he was detained by police

Amid a series of revelations last night, it was claimed that a friend of the suspect had reported him to the anti-terror hotline after he became radicalised by watching extremist videos and was shown here clutching an ISIS-style flag

An Islamic flag was unfurled in Regent's Park in broad daylight during the filming of the Channel 4 documentary last year with Butt pictured centre left

Abz (pictured in sunglasses) was also in the background when another protester Mohammed Shamsuddin, not involved in Saturday’s terror attack, had a furious row with police

Moroccan-born Rachid Redouane went to the mother of his 18-month-old girl's flat in Barking to kiss his daughter goodbye just three hours before launching his deadly attack.

The terrorist and Charisse O'Leary, 38, had split in January over his warped Islamic views which included banning his girl watching TV in the fear it would turn her gay.

Redouane's estranged wife was one of 12 arrested and released without charge in connection with Saturday night's massacre during which seven people were killed and 48 were injured.

One of his two accomplices, Khuram Butt, wrote as his WhatsApp profile on May 10, 'Allah says (Quran 94:6) - Indeed, with hardship, comes ease.'

Instead of a picture of himself, his profile picture is lines from the Islamic religious book, which read: 'Speak justice, speak kindly, speak politely, speak fairly, speak gently, speak graciously, speak not in vain,' according to the Mirror.

Radouane saw his estranged wife and their child for the very last time at 7pm on Saturday.

They had met in Manchester in 2009 before moving to Ireland where they married in 2012.

The relationship turned sour over his extremist views and in recent social media posts, she had complained that Redouane had not been visiting their daughter enough.

One of Charisse's friends responded to her frustration that he was not going to see his child by saying she 'hope he drowns'.

The terrorist's ex-wife told The Sun: 'He was always really selfish and I gave up so much for him. I was never going to convert and become a Muslim. There’s no way I was going to do that.'

She refused to stop her daughter eating pork, going to dance lessons or watching things on TV in case it 'made her gay', which was the request of her twisted father.

Redouane had wanted his girl to grow up as a Muslim, but her mother said she would not force her child into a religious upbringing.

It emerged the murderer flew to his homeland for what he cited as person reasons three years ago, according to The Sun.

The trip is now being probed by security officials.

Terrorist Khuram Butt wrote on his WhatsApp profile on May 10, 'Allah says (Quran 94:6) - Indeed, with hardship, comes ease.'

Instead of a picture of himself, his profile picture is lines from the Islamic religious book, which read: 'Speak justice, speak kindly, speak politely, speak fairly, speak gently, speak graciously, speak not in vain'

Butt had been left traumatised at the age of 12 by the death of his father, MailOnline can reveal, and he was also been run over outside his house in East London four years earlier.

Neighbours said his father 'brought the children up well' and that his loss had a profound effect on the youngster, paving the way for his extremism.

He later became radicalised and had an arranged marriage which produced two children.

A neighbour, who tried to resuscitate the father, said Butt was screaming hysterically when the family had found the head of the family 'stiff and on his side'.

When he was eight, the would-be terrorist ran out between two parked cars and was hit by a vehicle, breaking his teeth and damaging his leg, meaning he walked with a limp until the day he was shot dead.

'The family received £2,500 in compensation from the insurers,' the neighbour said.

It appears he did not fade under the radar, as he was last month spotted urging people in East London not to participate in the general election and, according to The Guardian, he was a supporter of the banned Islamic extremist group al-Muhajiroun.

Butt (pictured) started asking a neighbour about his van and how much it would cost to hire one in the hours before the attack

Michael Membo told the BBC he thought the terrorist was moving out because he had parked in the middle of the road and that his religious beliefs appeared to harden since the turn of the year.

He told Sky: 'He was a very interactive with the neighbours and with the kids. He joked around a lot, but we did not know whether to take it at face value.

‘There were no signs, as such, but at the start of the year he started to grow his beard. He had never really had a long but I thought it was just done by choice.

‘His style of clothing was more Islamic rather than casual. It became more frequent – sometimes he would wear a cap and sometimes he wouldn’t.

‘What we noticed was that he was speaking to the kids about his views.

‘The kids would tell their parents but people would just say “oh, it’s only Abz – don’t take him so seriously”.’

One of those youngsters told the BBC: ‘He was unhappy about what women were wearing. He wanted women to wear hijabs.

'We would speak about Syria and Afghanistan and how these countries were getting bombed.’

Neighbours have described how Butt hid behind a 'nice guy' persona and duped parents into trusting him to be alone with their children.

He was known to play football and table tennis with the youngsters, but a former team-mate of the terrorist who used to play seven-a-side football with Butt at Newham Leisure Centre told MailOnline: ‘He used to come to the session in Newham where I live and play seven-a-side football.

‘It’s a quite shock to see he’s involved.

‘He was really good at football, a really talented player – and obviously an Arsenal fan.

‘I remember one incident when a friend of mine and my brother were playing when there was a violent fight on the pitch and he [Butt] stepped on someone’s head.

‘It was only a friendly game but he instigated the fight.

‘He was quite a heated, confrontational character.

‘It was obvious back then he was becoming more radicalised - I could see the beard was growing longer and longer and the way he spoke, he would use Islamic terms in his speech.

‘I respect everyone for all their own views and I wasn’t judging him at the time so thought nothing of it.’

It also emerged that police may also have questioned him last year after a photographer captured a detective carrying secret notes detailing an interview.

He was ‘euphoric’ and asking about how to hire a van just hours before the London Bridge atrocity, it was claimed last night.

London bolsters the city's bridges Following the terrorist attacks in Westminster and London Bridge, New Scotland Yard have reviewed the security of the 33 bridges in London. On Sunday they had protective barriers installed at Westminster Bridge. A Met Police spokesman said: 'We are in the process of having barriers installed on Waterloo Bridge and Lambeth Bridge to maintain security at these venues. 'We recognise the public is anxious about security following the terrorist attacks in London, and we want to reassure them that we are taking precautions to make the Capital a safe place for people to live, work and visit. 'The barriers are intended to increase security on what are some of London’s busiest bridges. 'They are designed specifically for hostile vehicle mitigation and are a national asset used around the UK. 'We are considering the use of barriers and other security measures at locations across London. We will not be discussing this further at this time.' Advertisement

A neighbour said that Butt wandered over and started asking about his van and how much it would cost to hire one.

The Telegraph claims that counter-terrorism officers were watching a cell in Barking, where he lived, on the eve of the terror attack.

Yesterday, Butt's family asked to 'grieve in peace' as it emerged the terrorist held a farewell barbecue at his flat in Barking, where guests were handed cupcakes.

Neighbour Ramou Grant told Good Morning Britain: 'Last week he called for a barbecue and invited all of us. [I'm] thinking, "was this a send-off?".'

One of his neighbours told MailOnline he was a 'cheeky chappie' before he became serious about Islam and his older brother was in the Territorial Army.

Aged eight he was knocked down with a car and broke his tooth and damaged his leg. He got a £2,500 payout and walked with a limp after that.

In 2013, the neighbour said he started to wear religious clothes. He used to go to the mosque over the road which she said was quite radical and lots of young men start going there and turn out extreme, she said.

Butt took part in an arranged marriage in Chigwell, Essex, in a ceremony attended by more than 400 people.

His father died suddenly in 2002 and that affected him because he used to 'took care' to bring them up properly and make sure they didn't stray.

The family were all on benefits but the father also worked selling fruit and veg at a stall in Queens Market in Upton Park. So they lost money when he died and the mother 'didn't really care' about the kids, she said.

Salaudeen Jailabdeen, 40, who lives in a neighbouring block of flats, said the suspect had once been ejected from a local mosque for interrupting an imam. He then started preaching in his flat.

A spokesman for the Jabir Bin Zayd Islamic Centre said: 'The imam was forced to ask him to leave two years ago.

'He was giving a speech on the up-and-coming general election and the imam was explaining how it was important to vote wisely.

'He got angry, complaining that it was nothing to do with him, and interrupted the imam. He was then asked to leave.'

But in a statement on its website, the mosque said: 'We feel until the police release more information it is not appropriate for us to speak about anyone that may or may not have prayed here.'

Neighbours near the Barking flats where he lived said he had been well-known to the community.

Damien Pettit, 31, who said he could not be sure the man pictured was definitely his neighbour, said the man was 'very much involved in the area'.

Yesterday a photographer captured a detective carrying secret notes which appeared to suggest he had been quizzed by police as recently as last year.

According to The Times, the Barking suspect had preached to people at his flat, worked on the transport network and worked for a few hours a week at an Islamic fitness centre where he also took part in boxing and taekwondo.

Metropolitan Police's full statement as they name killers Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley speaking outside New Scotland Yard The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command has released the names and photographs of two men shot dead by police following the terrorist attack on London Bridge and Borough Market on Saturday, June 3. While formal identification has yet to take place, detectives believe they now know the attackers’ identities. They believe two of the men are Khuram Shazad Butt and Rachid Redouane, both from Barking, east London. All three men were confronted and shot dead by armed officers within eight minutes of the first call. Khuram Shazad Butt, 27, was a British citizen who was born in Pakistan. Rachid Redouane, 30, had claimed to be Moroccan and Libyan. He also used the name Rachid Elkhdar, with a different date of birth. Inquiries are ongoing to confirm the identity of their accomplice. Detectives would like to hear from anyone who has any information about these men that may assist them with the investigation. They are particularly keen to hear about places they may have frequented and their movements in the days and hours before the attack. At 10.08pm on Saturday, a hired white Renault van travelled north to south on London Bridge and mounted the pavement, which collided with pedestrians before they abandoned the vehicle. The three attackers, armed with knives, continued into the Borough Market area, stabbing numerous people. The attackers were then confronted by the firearms officers and eight police firearms officers discharged their weapons. Seven people were killed. Work to inform the next of kin of the victims is ongoing. This is taking time because we believe some of the victims are from abroad. Of the 48 people taken to hospital, 36 are currently being cared for in London hospitals with 18 remaining in a critical condition. The investigation into this horrific attack is fast moving and complex as we piece together a fuller picture of what occurred. So far officers have arrested 12 people – seven women and five men - and searched six properties - four on Sunday and a further two properties today. One of the arrested men and one of the women were subsequently released. Counter terrorism partners have dedicated intensive effort to developing and improving our counter terrorism response over recent years, as the threat has changed. The more we know, the greater the chance when an attack does happen we will have some information about at least one perpetrator. Our work necessarily involves making difficult judgements about how to prioritise the resources available to us at a time when the UK is facing a severe and high tempo terrorist threat. There are 500 current terrorism investigations, involving 3,000 current subjects of interest. A small number of the highest priority investigations involve current attack planning, and these investigations command a significant proportion of our resource. The remainder of our investigations focus on other activities relating to active support or facilitation of terrorism. Khuram Shazad Butt was known to the police and MI5. However, there was no intelligence to suggest that this attack was being planned and the investigation had been prioritised accordingly. The other named man, Rachid Redouane, was not known. Work is ongoing to understand more about them, their connections and whether they were assisted or supported by anyone else. We cannot say more about them at this stage. Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said: 'I would urge anyone with information about these men, their movements in the days and hours before the attack and the places they frequented to come forward. 'The police and our partners are doing everything we can across the country to help prevent further attacks and protect the public from harm.' At any one time MI5 and police are conducting around 500 active investigations, involving 3,000 subjects of interest. 'Additionally, there are around 20,000 individuals who are former subjects of interest, whose risk remains subject to review by MI5 and its partners. 'The security and intelligence services and police have stopped 18 plots since 2013, including five since the Westminster attack two months ago.' He added: 'We would urge the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police by calling us in confidence on 0800 789321 or in an emergency calling 999.' Advertisement

Terror attack: Since seven people were murdered on Saturday night police have made at least 12 arrests in raids on properties across east London

Back to work: London Bridge reopened this morning for the first time since pedestrians were mowed down by the white van driven by jihadists

Heartbroken: Flowers were laid at the scene today and one person was overwhelmed as he came to terms with what has happened

Police teams could be seen analysing the rental van which ploughed into pedestrians on Saturday evening

The van used by jihadis on Saturday before they got out and started randomly stabbing victims was taken away by investigators yesterday

Cars, bikes and double decker buses were abandoned on London Bridge as investigations got underway

The trio began their killing spree just after 10pm when they ploughed into pedestrians in a white van on London Bridge

One of Gabriele Sciotto's photographs showed the face of the dying terrorist, wearing an Arsenal football shirt and combat trousers, just a few metres in front of him

The bodies of two men, believed to be the two terorists with him, lie in the road in Borough market after shots had been heard

Housewife Erica Gasparri, 42, told The Times she had reported the suspect to police last year after challenging him in a park near a school.

She said: 'They were waiting for the children of the neighbourhood. They would give the children chocolate while talking to them. They would pray in the park for hours.'

Second London Bridge attacker was a Moroccan living in Ireland One of the London Bridge attackers shot dead after murdering seven people was a pastry chef from north Africa carrying an Irish ID card on his bullet-riddled body, it was revealed today. The suspect, who has not been named, is believed to have been born in Morocco but moved to Dublin around five years ago after marrying a Scottish woman. Gardai in Ireland say he was living in the Rathmines area of the Irish capital with his wife but he was not on their radar as a terrorist. It is understood that the couple may have moved to London just months before the attack was launched and he is believed to have links to the 12 people arrested in a Barking tower block yesterday. Police chiefs in Dublin said they were liaising with counterparts in the UK after it was confirmed he had Irish papers on his body. 'An Garda Siochana is providing every assistance to our colleagues in the London Metropolitan Police in relation to the terror attack in London,' a spokesman said. 'We will process all requests from the UK authorities in relation to inquiries into individuals, identities or any other matter.' The man, who had been carrying the Irish-issued ID, is understood to be from Morocco and that he was married to a woman from Scotland and had lived in Dublin. Gardai are investigating whether the ID card belonged to the dead man and if the documents are legitimate. It is understood inquiries are continuing into whether the man was given an Irish ID card issued by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. The plastic credit card-sized documentation is given to people from outside the EU. It has a person's certificate of registration which states they have permission to stay in Ireland. It must be carried at all times. There are also inquiries into whether the man had been given paperwork after landing in Ireland to claim asylum or if he had an ID card issued under EU treaties which allowed him to live in Ireland with his family. Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan was holding a meeting with the force's anti-terror and intelligence chiefs as they co-operate with the Met investigation. Advertisement

After police raided Butt’s home Barking, East London at 7am yesterday, it emerged he:

Once appeared on a Channel 4 documentary last year about jihadis in Britain and had links to two notorious preachers of hate

Had previously tried to go to Syria to fight jihad but had been talked out of it by his family

Been in an arranged marriage and only recently become a father for the second time

Had also been thrown out of a local mosque after he repeatedly interrupted the Imam during prayers prior to the 2015 General election

It was claimed that he had been reported to the anti-terrorist hotline, but not been arrested or stripped of his passport

Iketina Chigbo, who lives in the block of flats raided in Barking, said he saw Butt just a few hours before the terror attack.

He said of the Arsenal supporting Jihadi, who he knew as ‘Abs’, said: ‘It was around 3pm (on Saturday) and I was in the process of moving so was loading stuff into a van.

‘He came over‎ and seemed quite excitable. He was wearing his Arsenal shirt and was asking about the van.

‘He was asking where I got the van from and how much it cost. He said he was planning to move too and that’s why he wanted to know, I didn’t think anything of it.

‘He was on another level of happiness and kept shaking my hand. He seemed almost euphoric.

‘But then I saw the picture from the scene of the attack of the guy on the floor, he was wearing the same kind of colour top and I just couldn’t believe it. I knew it was him, I recognised him.’

The father added: ‘I’ve known him almost three years and we’ve had general chit chat. We never had any suspicions, he seemed like a nice guy.

‘It was so odd when I saw him and how excited he was about the van. It all adds up now.’

Another neighbour said he knew the man as Khuram ‎Butt who previously worked for KFC and more recently for Transport for London (TfL).

He said: ‘He seemed like a normal guy but then he became quite radical. I saw him on a TV documentary with an ISIS flag some time ago and after that I tried to keep my distance from him.’

The Mail has learned that Butt had recently become a father again to a two month old baby girl and also had a two-year-old son.

The terrorist, of Pakistani descent, had an arranged marriage with his wife around three years ago.

‎His elderly mother was taken away by ambulance after the raid yesterday and another close relative, who denies any wrongdoing, was arrested by police.

A female neighbour said: ‘He didn’t interact with women in the area because of his views. He would happily talk to men but would ignore females.

‘I only ever saw his wife if he was with her and she wore the full veil I don’t think I ever saw her eyes.’

A relative of his wife said he had been concerned about Butt’s views and tried to raise the alarm with the family.

‘In 2015 I heard that he tried to go to Syria saying he was going for jihad.

‘But the family rallied around and as his wife Zahra was pregnant they managed to stop him.

‘I was concerned and tried to talk to her family about it, she should never have married him.

‘I realised he was quite extreme at Eid in 2015‎ when he accused me of not being a Muslim and said I was non-believer because I chose not to keep a beard.

‘He created a scene and basically told us all we were kuffars before leaving the party.

‘I offered him my hand at the mosque a little while after that and he refused to shake it saying "I don’t shake hands with kuffars". After that I didn’t want anything to do with him.’

Another neighbour said he knew Butt because they were both Arsenal supporters.

‘He was a nice guy, obviously religious but normal. We used to speak about Arsenal and I last chatted to him a few weeks ago after we won the FA Cup. There’s was nothing untoward about him.’

The man said that while the extended family including the wife Zahra met to breakfast at a relatives’ house on the night of the attack Butt was nowhere to be seen.

‘The whole family was there, Zahra and the kids but Khuram didn’t turn up.

‘Zahra left shortly after 10‎ but I didn’t speak to her much as since she’s been married she doesn’t speak to men.

‘After marrying him she started wearing the full veil and stopped interacting with men. It’s a bit weird for me.’

Armed police stormed two new properties in east London today and neighbours spoke of hearing up to 30 bangs that could have been gunshots

Several men were pictured laying on the floor in handcuffs outside the block of flats yesterday in a raid which is believed to be in connection with the London Bridge attack

Exclusive video shows several men up being sat up against wall by police as they carried out a raid in barking on Sunday morning

Pictured: Three of the suspects arrested by police yesterday in connection with the attacks after the raid

Cressida Dick vows officers will 'step up a gear' as she admits each terror attack could be 'triggering the next' Britain has been hit by an 'unprecedented' wave of terror attacks, the country's top police officer has warned. Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick said authorities were confronting a 'new reality' after three deadly assaults hit the UK in just 10 weeks. Ms Dick told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it was 'certainly a possibility' that the attacks were triggering the next one. 'The rhetoric that has been coming from Daesh and other organisations has been to encourage people to take action into their own hands, to use low-tech methods, and undoubtedly when people see something which appears from their perverted point of view to be successful, some people will be inspired by that, so that is most certainly a possibility,' the Metropolitan Police commissioner said. She also said 'we need to look at our resourcing' in response to the emerging terrorism threat. Ms Dick, asked whether she would demand additional officers, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'Over several years, police services have in many respects become, it's a ghastly phrase, but become very much more efficient, they have managed to do things in a more productive manner. 'We need to go on doing that in the future. But in the face of this changing and changed threat, absolutely I will be seeking for London and for policing generally more resourcing obviously.' Advertisement

The family previously rented a home in Plaistow where they claimed housing benefits.

Butt lived with his elderly mother Fatima and brother Saad who was a youth worker and who was once a member of a Young Muslims Police Advisory Group.

He previously worked in an East London branch of KFC and had a Diploma in Teaching English language to adults.

He had also held a job in sales and customer service for TFL, Transport for London, on the Tube network.

Last night it also emerged that a mosque attended by Butt banned him after he repeatedly interrupted the Imam during prayers prior to the 2015 General election.

Butt was a regular worshipper at the Jabir Bin Zayd Islamic Centre and Mosque in the centre of Barking, East London.

But shortly before the last General Election he attended prayers at the mosque and took exception to prayers from the Imam who was also discussing the issue of voting in the forthcoming ballot.

Last night a senior source at the Mosque told the Daily Mail: ‘He repeatedly interrupted the Imam and that is not something you are allowed to do.

'He was asked to wait until the Imam had finished his talk and prayers before making his point. That is allowed in our faith.

‘But he kept shouting "Only God is in Charge" and would not stop.

‘He was getting louder and louder and in the end the caretaker escorted him from the building – the prayers were taking place on the first floor of the building.

‘Although it was two years ago we remember the incident well. At the time he had shoulder length hair that he would sometimes wear in a ponytail.

‘When he was removed to the street outside he was still shouting and being aggressive so he was told he was banned from the mosque.

‘I don’t think anyone else – by that I mean the authorities – were told of the incident. It was dealt with by banning him from the mosque.

‘He was seen in the streets of Barking afterwards but never came back to the mosque to worship after that incident.’

Butt’s actions came at around the same time as the now jailed radical preacher Anjem Choudary claimed that all Muslim MPs and voters were ‘apostates’ three weeks before the general election in 2015.

A man bends over and covers his head as he is led from the block of flats where one of the terrorists reportedly lived

WHAT WE KNOW AFTER THE LONDON BRIDGE ATTACK Advertisement

Thirty-six people remain in hospital, including 21 in critical condition, following the attack on Saturday night.

A bystander was shot in the head after they were caught in the police crossfire and the incident is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the Metropolitan Police revealed yesterday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed a Canadian national is among the dead but no name has been released.

France's Foreign Minister has confirmed that a French man was killed in the attack. Seven people from France were injured, four critically. One is still missing.

Australian waitress Candice Hedge is recovering in hospital after one of the terrorists ran up and cut her neck as she enjoyed a post-work drink at a bar.

New Zealander Oliver Dowling, 32, is in a coma after being stabbed in the face during the attack.

His girlfriend, Maire Bondeville, was also injured although her condition is still unknown.

A British Transport Police officer was stabbed in the face and an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer was also injured.

Twelve people were arrested and four women taken into police custody during an early morning raid at a tower block in Barking, east London, where one of the attackers is believed to have lived.

Desperate families are begging for information on loved ones feared missing after the attack, including a 16-year-old girl who failed to return home.

Police and members of the emergency services muster on Borough High Street in the clean up after the attack

The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee in Whitehall yesterday and insisted in a press conference outside No 10 afterwards: 'Enough is enough'.

Theresa May said the attacks were not directly connected to the Manchester bombing last month and the Westminster attack in April but that all three are linked by the single evil ideology of Islamist extremism'.

Politicians faced calls to cancel the election next week but Mrs May confirmed it will go ahead as planned.

All parties except for Ukip agreed to suspend national election campaigning yesterday but local efforts will continue London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the 'barbaric' and 'horrific' event as 'deliberate and cowardly'.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the attack was 'brutal' and 'shocking' in a tweet.

President Donald Trump took to Twitter to criticise Sadiq Khan after the London Mayor told residents of his city that there is 'no reason to be alarmed' in the wake of the attack.

Ariana Grande, whose young fans were targeted in the attack at Manchester Arena, confirmed the benefit concert to benefit victims will go ahead tonight as planned with her manager urging people to stand together.

A minute's silence will be held on Tuesday 6 June in remembrance of those who lost their lives.

Bridge terrorist's links to two extremist preachers: Jihadi was filmed at extremist events alongside cleric who hailed his support for ISIS

Khuram Butt appeared alongside two notorious Islamist preachers in a TV documentary

Khuram Butt appeared alongside two notorious Islamist preachers in a TV documentary.

He was filmed at extremist events alongside Mohammed Shamsuddin, who has publicly hailed his support for Islamic State.

Shamsuddin, who has claimed state benefits since he was 18, has also called for Sharia law in the UK and made chilling warnings about a ‘backlash’ by British Muslims.

He was also pictured with Abu Haleema, who was accused of radicalising a British schoolboy who was convicted over a plot to behead police officers during an Anzac Day parade in Australia.

Shamsuddin is a disciple of Omar Bakri Mohammed – the Tottenham Ayatollah – and his successor Anjem Choudary.

He has been at the forefront of Islamist protests over the past decade, and openly admitted preaching a message of ‘world domination’.

In a Channel 4 documentary last year, Shamsuddin was shown praying with a group of followers including one of the London Bridge attackers in London’s Regent’s Park under the black flag of Islam.

Shamsuddin told his followers: ‘The Sharia is coming to the UK – this black flag you see here one day is gonna be on 10 Downing Street.’

Minutes later, the pair were shown in a confrontation with police who had received a tip-off about the flag

After an ugly standoff, they were detained for an hour – but the flag was not discovered.

Shamsuddin later told the filmmakers: ‘Our message is deadly, we are calling for world domination, and for Sharia for the UK.

After criticising British foreign policies and treatment of Muslims, he added: What’s gonna happen, you’re gonna face a backlash in this country... if you’re gonna suppress and suppress I mean it’s like a tinder box, it’s gonna explode.’

There is no suggestion Shamsuddin or Haleema are connected to Saturday’s attack.

Abu Haleema (left) and Mohammed Shamsuddin (above) watching ISIS videos as they appear in their documentary The Jihadis Next Door

The jihadi was filmed at extremist events alongside Mohammed Shamsuddin, pictured, who has publicly hailed his support for Islamic State. There is no suggestion he is connected to Saturday’s attack

Canadian terror victim, 30, who worked in a homeless shelter died in her fiance's arms after terrorists mowed her down with their speeding van on London Bridge

A Canadian woman killed in the latest London attack died in her fiance's arms after being struck by a speeding van as terrorists again brought havoc to the capital.

Christine Archibald, 30, would have had 'no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death', her family said as they paid tribute to her.

She is the first victim of the atrocity in London Bridge on Saturday night to be named. The attack killed seven people and critically injured 21 others.

Ms Archibald's fiance, Tyler Ferguson, held her in his arms as she died, his sister revealed last night.

The first victim of the London Bridge terror attack has been named as Canadian Christine Archibald. Friends asked well-wishers to volunteer at a homeless shelter in tribute to her

Ms Archibald, who worked at homeless shelter, died in the arms of her fiance Tyler Ferguson

The 30-year-old moved from her native British Columbia to live in Europe with her fiance

Mr Ferguson's sister wrote on Facebook: 'Last night in London, my baby brother, lost the love of his life on the London Bridge.

'In a split second his entire life was ripped away from him. Hearing his painful sobs on the phone while he's alone trying to deal with this tears me apart.

'I have no words. If you know Tyler, please be there for him now, and later when what happened sinks in, he's going to need us all.'

Second victim of attack named as Brit business owner James McMullan, 32, from Hackney, was last seen smoking outside of the Barrowboy and Banker pub on Borough High Street just minutes before the terrorists went on their rampage A British business owner has been named as the second victim who was killed in the London Bridge terror massacre. James McMullan, 32, from Hackney, was last seen smoking outside of the Barrowboy and Banker pub on Borough High Street just minutes before the terrorists went on their rampage. It was earlier revealed that Canadian Christine Archibald, 30, had died in her fiance's arms after being struck by a speeding van. James' sister Melissa wept today as she appeared on camera to confirm her brother was believed to be dead. She told Sky News: 'This morning we received news from the police that my brother's bank card was found on one of the bodies from Saturday night's brutal attack. 'They are unable to formally identify him until the coroner's report begins tomorrow.' Melissa added: 'We would like to send our condolences to the relatives and loved ones of all the people who lost their lives. Our thoughts are with them also at the time. 'We would like to thank the members of the services who did their utmost to serve and protect the population of London from these deranged and deluded individuals. 'While our pain will never diminish, it is important for us all to carry on with our lives in direct opposition to those who wish to destroy us and remember that hatred is the refuge of small-minded individuals and will only breed more.' Ms McMullan said her brother's friends who were with him on the night want everyone to know what a generous and caring person he was. Advertisement

Ms Archibald, a worker in a homeless shelter, moved from her native British Columbia to live in Europe with her fiance.

Her devastated family said: '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 honor her by making your community a better place. Volunteer your time and labor or donate to a homeless shelter. Tell them Chrissy sent you.'

The family of Xavier Thomas are desperately searching for him. He was with his girlfriend, Christine Delcros, when the attack happened. She is said to be injured in hospital

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: 'I am heartbroken that a Canadian is among those killed.

'We grieve with the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones, and wish all those injured a speedy and full recovery.

'Londoners and people across the United Kingdom have always displayed strength and resilience in the face of adversity.'

'We recently witnessed this after the attacks in Manchester and in the Westminster area of London. This time will be no different.'

An unnamed French citizen died in the attacks and another is still missing, the country's Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian has said.

The victim is reportedly a 27-year-old from Saint-Malo in Brittany who was working in the Boro Bistro when he was attacked. He was named in French media only as 'Alexandre'.

French newspaper Ouest France said the victim had been living in Britain for the past two and a half years.

Sara Zelenak has been missing since becoming separated from friends on Saturday

A family friend, Diane Winter, has launched an online appeal to find out where she is

The missing French citizen is believed to be Xavier Thomas, whose sister-in-law posted a desperate message on Facebook yesterday.

He is understood to have been with his girlfriend Christine Delcros when the attack took place. Ms Delcros is said to be injured in hospital.

Her sister Nathalie Cros Brohan wrote online: 'We are on our way to London, my sister Christine Delcros and her boyfriend Xavier Thomas have been victims of #londonattack #LondonBridge.'

'My sister is seriously injured and hospitalised. I appeal to all those who have news of Xavier Thomas that is missing ... he is not one of the 4 French found. We are terribly worried.'

Spanish HSBC worker Ignacio Echeverria is still missing after the attack.

Mr Echeverria was last seen on Saturday night lying on the pavement near London Bridge after confronting one of the knife-wielding terrorists as he was attacking a female victim.

Mr Echeverria's family are trying to find 39-year-old, who lived in Poplar, east London, and came from Las Rozas near Madrid.

Ignacio Echeverria was last seen on Saturday night lying on a pavement near London Bridge after confronting one of the knife-wielding terrorists as he was attacking a female victim

Mr Echeverria's sister Isabel, an account operations manager with WEX Virtual Payments who also lives in London, has launched a social media appeal for help in tracking him down after failing to find him following approaches to hospitals, the police and the Spanish consulate.

A 21-year-old Australian woman last seen on London Bridge also remains missing after being caught in Saturday night's terror attack.

Sara Zelenak, from Brisbane, became separated from her friends and has not been seen since, family friends have said

Family friend Diane Winter said more than 24 hours have passed with no news from the Australian consulate about Ms Zelenak's welfare.

Ms Zelenak calls her mother everyday from London where she works as a nanny, Ms Winter said.

But Ms Zelenak has not answered her phone or responded to texts since she was separated from her friends the moment chaos broke out in central London.

Candice Hedge (left) is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the throat. Londoner Roy Lerner (right) is in intensive care after reportedly fighting back against the attackers

Candice Hedge said the stab wound had not impacted her main arteries and windpipe

There are 48 people recovering in hospitals across the capital, including Australian Candice Hedge whose throat was cut as she sat in a bar.

Another victim, New Zealander Oliver Dowling, 32, is in a coma after being stabbed in the face during the attack, which also injured his girlfriend, Marie Bondeville, whose condition is still unknown.

A British Transport Police officer was stabbed in the face, while Scotland Yard has now confirmed an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer was also among those injured.

Londoner Roy Larner is also in intensive care after reportedly running at the attackers to help others.

Mr Larner was reportedly got stabbed five times and was left with cuts to his head, neck, back and hands.

Friend Archie Webber-Brown wrote online: 'Roy Larner charged at the terrorists on London Bridge in order to try and stop them and help others escape.

'He ended up getting himself stabbed multiple times showing great courage and preparing he's body for the ultimate self sacrifice to help others, he should be acknowledged and rewarded for his actions.'

Brett Freeman was stabbed four times and has been recovering in hospital. His friend took this picture and posted it on Twitter with the caption: 'He's a soldier'.

32-year-old New Zealander Oliver Dowling is also in a coma after being stabbed in the face during the attack, which also left his girlfriend injured Marie Bondeville (pictured together)

The mother of one of the victims, 23 year-old Daniel O'Neill, who was stabbed in last night's attack, told reporters outside King's College Hospital: 'He just stepped outside the bar for a second and a man ran up to him and said: 'This is for my family, this is for Islam', and stuck a knife straight in him. He's got a seven-inch scar going from his belly round to his back.

'The man ran away, Daniel headed back into the pub, there was shots fired, everybody was told to lie down, and then they were told to go downstairs in the bar.

'At this stage Daniel's friend had put a tourniquet on him and was holding pressure there, he was brought downstairs, parts of that he doesn't remember, and then the police were there and brought him in their car to the hospital.

'These people say they are doing this in the name of God, which is an absolute joke. If it wasn't religion they'd find some other excuse.

'They are callous, they are barbaric and they are absolute cowards. We will carry on as normal.'

Miss Hedge had just finished her shift at Elliot's restaurant in London Bridge and was having a drink at a nearby bar when she was attacked.

Distressed people leave the area wearing foil blankets after they were caught up in the horror

More people who narrowly missed being injured in the crash walk away wearing the foil blankets

It is understood she was sat with her back to the attacker when he grabbed her head and slashed her throat.

Miss Hedge, who has been living in London for the past year, said the stab wound had not impacted her main arteries and windpipe.

She also posted on Facebook: 'Hey everyone, just so you know I'm doing Ok. Bit of pain but I will survive. Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes. Love to all'.

Meanwhie, Mr Dowling 's sister revealed on Facebook that he is expected to recover from stab wounds to his, face, neck and stomach, as the knife missed his vital organs.

She said: 'Doctors are very happy with how he's come out the other side.

'A massive thank to the University of London Hospital for their tireless efforts in helping my brother out!!'

Police are advising people who live within the London Bridge cordon to stay somewhere else tonight if they can

Witnesses to the terror attack said there was a stabbing in the Southwark venue at the Borough market while others heard at least 12 gunshots in the area

The officer was on-duty at the time and was responding to the incident at London Bridge, where a group of men drove a van into a crowd of people.

The men then jumped out of the car near Borough Market and began stabbing people nearby with 12-inch hunting knives, including the unnamed officer.

He sustained serious, but not life-threatening injuries, according to Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley who spoke outside Scotland Yard around 4am in London.

Another person stabbed was Geoff Ho, who was filmed clutching his neck with what appeared to be a knife wound.

He was bravely trying to break up what he believed was a Saturday night brawl when he was cut to the throat.

He tweeted this morning: 'I got out of surgery yesterday and am on the mend.'

Dramatic video shows Geoff Ho clutching his neck as he staggers away from the scene just moments after the terror attack

The London man was stabbed during the frenzied rampage across Borough Market and had been reported missing, but has now been found

Just moments before, he posted: 'Don't know whether it was stupid or noble to jump in and break up the fight outside the Southwark Tavern, but two a***s trying to do over the lone bouncer on the door isn't happening on my watch.'

Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's foreign minister, said four French nationals are in serious condition without releasing any names.

During an official visit to Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, Mr Le Drian added that 'another compatriot is still missing.'

London has a sizeable expat French community estimated at more than 200,000 people.

French President Emmanuel Macron was due to meet the family and friends of all those involved, and has already started making phone calls. Mr Macron also said security would be stepped up for legislative elections due to start in France next week 'to show the force of democracy in the face of enemies of freedom'.

French school children were among those injured in the terrorist car attack on Westminster Bridge in March.

A search was also launched for 16-year-old Brit Asya Mustafa, who lives near London Bridge, but she has since been found

Explosions and gunshots heard as police raid two more homes and make further arrests over London Bridge terror attack

Explosions and gunshots were heard when police raided two more properties in east London today as they investigate the terror attack on London Bridge.

Officers are searching two addresses in Dagenham and Newham in connection with Saturday night's massacre in the capital city, which saw three jihadist terrorists kill seven people and injure dozens more.

Armed police stormed the properties early this morning, with neighbours telling how they heard guns being fired and explosions ringing out.

One witness told MailOnline he heard an 'extremely loud bang at 4am followed by multiple gunshots' off the A13 in Dagenham, east London.

He said: 'It was as if my ear was right next to a car backfiring. It was loud enough to wake everyone up at 4am.'

Armed police stormed the properties and neighbours spoke of hearing gunshots

A general view of the Ship and Shovel pub in Dagenham this morning where police vans are seen at the rear

Police officers stand outside a residential property close to the Ship and Shovel pub in Dagenham

Police carried out a raid at a Dagenham address early this morning in connection with the London Bridge terror attacks and residents reported hearing gunshots

James Bateman, who lives at the other side of the road, said: 'At about 4am, after the large bang, I looked outside the window after being woken up and I saw about a dozen armed police officers going to and from an unmarked van.'

He said they were wearing 'full gear', adding: 'The first bang was nothing like I'd heard before.'

Mr Bateman said the bangs that followed were not as loud but sounded 'the equivalent' of gunshots.

Simon Tucker wrote on Twitter: 'Heard this in the Dagenham area at around 4:15 am. Started with loud explosion sound. Followed by about 20 shots, Some sounded distant.' a

Police officers were seen standing outside a residential property close to the Ship and Shovel pub in Dagenham. A quarter-mile stretch of the A13 is thought to have been closed off for a short period during the raid.

Yesterday, police arrested 12 people including four women during a dawn raid at a block of flats in Barking where one of the London Bridge terrorists reportedly lived.

One witness said a suspect who tried to flee was shot while others reported hearing gunfire and explosions as police swooped on the east London address at 7am on Sunday.

Several men were pictured laying face down in the road handcuffed, while others were later led from the flat alongside four women. The arrests marked the first by police over the attack which killed seven and wounded 48, including 21 people left in critical.

Pictured: Three of the suspects arrested by police yesterday in connection with the attacks after the raid

Twelve people were arrested in a raid in a tower block in Barking, east London, yesterday in connection with the attack

A witness said one of the men attempted to flee from police and was shot before being put in an ambulance, while another said a woman taken from the flats also needed medical attention

THE ARRESTS SO FAR Officers have made a series of arrests since Saturday night's London Bridge atrocity and are searching a number of properties. Early on Sunday, police carried out raids at two addresses in Barking, east London, arresting 12 people. At one property, police detained a 38-year-old woman. Four men aged 28, 52, 55 and 27 and six women aged 49, 60, 19, 27, 24 and 53 were arrested during a raid at a second address. A 55-year-old man was also detained but has since been released without charge. This morning at around 4.15am, police raided a further two addresses in Newham and Barking in east London detaining a 'number of people'. Advertisement

A second raid by armed officers was then caught on film less than a mile away on Barking Road, East Ham, at 3.30pm as officers pointed their weapons to a first floor flat above a Paddy Power shop.

One of the suspects arrested in the East Ham raid made a desperate attempt at a rooftop escape by climbing out of a window.

He was only apprehended after armed officers pointed their weapons at him and threatened to shoot, Malik Rouf, 30, an eyewitness, told MailOnline.

'I don't know if he was scared or anything but he looked pretty desperate,' he said. 'He looked pretty determined to escape.'

The suspect, said to be black and in his twenties, turned around and climbed back through his window where he was arrested along with another black man.

The armed officers had jumped out of three unmarked police cars before pouncing, the eyewitness said. The two suspects were dragged into a van and driven away.

Meanwhile, armed police and forensic officers were seen scouring the scene at London Bridge and Borough Market, where three terrorists left a trail of death and destruction when they went on a van and knife rampage.

The attackers, who were wearing fake suicide vests, mowed down up to 20 pedestrians as they careered across London Bridge in an 'S shape' at 50mph before abandoning the vehicle at nearby Borough Market, where they began 'randomly stabbing' revellers packed into busy bars and pubs.

Theresa May warns that Corbyn would not 'step up' to keep Britain safe from terrorism as she dismisses criticism over police cuts

Theresa May warned that Jeremy Corbyn would not 'step up' to keep Britain safe from terrorism today as she dismissed criticism over police cuts.

The Prime Minister defended her record in the wake of the London Bridge atrocity, insisting counter-terrorism budgets had gone up since 2015 and more armed police were being recruited.

After Labour accused her of putting the country at risk by reducing police numbers, Mrs May pointed out that Mr Corbyn had repeatedly 'boasted' about opposing measures to tackle the threats.

Theresa May (pictured giving a speech in central London today) warned that Jeremy Corbyn would not 'step up' to keep Britain safe from terrorism today as she dismissed criticism over police cuts

Mrs May was giving a speech at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies in central London today

Terrorists brought carnage to the streets of Britain for the second time in as many weeks, killing seven and leaving 21 fighting for their lives.

The three men, wearing fake suicide bomb vests, were shot dead by eight officers outside a pub after police opened fire with an 'unprecedented' hail of 50 bullets, while a bystander was also shot.

Despite his long record of opposing counter-terrorism measures, Mr Corbyn has sought to turn the screw on the PM - saying police numbers have fallen by 20,000 since 2010.

'In this election there is one leader who has made it his life’s ambition to get rid of Trident, and one who is committed to keeping it,' she said.

'One leader who has boasted about opposing every single counter-terror law, and one who has been responsible for passing them.

'One leader who has opposed the use of shoot to kill, and given cover to the IRA when they bombed and shot our citizens – and who now, in the midst of an election campaign, wants to do all he can to hide or deny those views.

'That’s not leadership. It’s an abdication of leadership.

'It’s a failure to meet even the minimum requirement of the job of Prime Minister – to keep our country safe.'

Prime Minister Theresa May has expressed her 'huge gratitude' to the emergency services who arrived at London Bridge within two minutes of last night's attack beginning

Mrs May accused Jeremy Corbyn (pictured gving a speech last night) of consistently opposing efforts to bolster protections against extremism

The Prime Minister insisted counter-terrorism budgets had gone up since 2015 and more armed police were being recruited

The speech in central London today came after the PM chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee in the wake of the attack, and confirmed that the threat level will stay at 'severe'.

Asked earlier whether she regretted cuts to officer numbers, Mrs May said: 'The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has said that the Met is well-resourced, and they are, and they have very powerful counter terrorism capabilities.

‘We have protected counter terrorism policing budgets, we have also provided funding for an increase in the number of armed officers.

FORMER CAMERON AIDE SAYS PM SHOULD 'RESIGN' OVER ATTACK A former aide to David Cameron demanded Theresa May resigns over the London Bridge attack today. Steve Hilton, who resigned from Downing Street in 2012 and then dramatically fell out with Mr Cameron over Brexit, rubbished her record as Home Secretary. Steve Hilton made clear his views on Mrs May on Twitter today 'Theresa May responsible for security failures of London Bridge, Manchester, Westminster Bridge,' Mr Hilton, who now lives in the US, posted on Twitter. 'Should be resigning not seeking re-election.' The comments come with Mrs May facing pressure over police cuts since 2010. Labour has been trying to link the terror attacks in London Bridge, Manchester and Westminster to security failures. Advertisement

‘That’s despite the fact that Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party suggested that police budgets could be cut.

‘But it is also the powers that we give to police. We have given increased powers to police to be able to deal with threats - powers that Jeremy Corbyn has always boasted he has opposed.’

Mrs May pointed out that a number of nationalities had been caught up in the attack. 'This was an attack on London and the UK but it was also an attack on the free world,' she said.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley admitted earlier that there had been 'reductions in police numbers across the board'.

'That was because we had to take difficult decisions in 2010 when we came into office, when as you remember there was no money,' she added.

She stressed that more armed police were being recruited.

Pedestrians were mowed down by a van on London Bridge before attackers stabbed a police officer and revellers around Borough Market with 12-inch knives.

One of the attackers shouted 'this is for Allah' as he knifed a man near a pub - while the Islamic State militant group claimed its fighters carried out the attack.

The group is said to have urged extremists to run over civilians in a poster released over the weekend featuring a knife, handgun and lorry urging radicals to 'gain benefit from Ramadan'.

Officers say they know the identities of the men who carried out the attack and will release the names 'as soon as operationally possible'.

Scotland Yard said seven women and five men aged between 19 and 60 were arrested under the Terrorism Act in Barking on Sunday. A 55-year-old man was later released without charge.

A vigil will be held on Monday evening near London Bridge in honour of the victims of the attack, which took place at around 10pm, while a minute's silence will take place at 11am on Tuesday.