Extra police placed at train stations following Westminster attack

Extra British Transport Police (BTP) were on hand yesterday, Wednesday, 22 March, following an attack in London which left four people dead.

A man drove a car along the pavement on Westminster Bridge, knocking down pedestrians and leaving many injured.

The car then crashed into the railings and the attacker made his way towards Parliament where he stabbed unarmed police officer, PC Palmer, who later died.

The attacker was shot dead by police in the grounds of Parliament.

In a statement published a few hours after the incident, the BTP said: “Extra officers will be on hand across the nation tonight following an incident at Westminster today.

“We know incidents such as this cause concern, so our officers will be highly visible and offering reassurance.

“Westminster station is currently closed and we would encourage members of the public in London to check with Transport for London before travelling.”

Assistant chief constable for the BTP, Alun Thomas, has since commented on the incident stating that there will be a “higher policing presence across the railway network for the next few days”, which will include both armed and unarmed officers.

He continued: “Our experience of the public response since yesterday’s incident has been overwhelmingly positive – our officers have received messages of support and thanks for the work they do, and members of the public have been rallying together.

“There is no place for intolerance and racism in our society and I have every confidence that together, in our communities, we can defeat hate and we can defeat terrorism.

“If you do experience any hate crime, or see it happening, on the railway, I would like to remind everyone that we want to know about it. We will take action against any criminal behaviour which seeks to undermine society, particularly crimes which are motivated by hate.”

Thomas added: “Once again, on behalf of BTP, I would like to offer my condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s incident, and to reiterate the message shared by our leaders across the world. We are not afraid. We stand together.”

Incidents can be reported to the BTP discreetly by texting 61016 from a mobile phone, and calls can be made to 0800 40 50 50.