Londoners have rallied together in the wake of a devastating terror attack, which left 48 people injured and seven fatalities.
But one man has shown unbelievable eloquence and defiance in the face of this evil.
Where terrorism is designed to break the spirit of society, one Londoner, Richard Angell told the BBC exactly why he won’t let cowards with knives cow him into fear.
Richard said:
If me having a gin and tonic with my friends, flirting with handsome men, hanging out with brilliant women, is what offends these people so much, I’m going to do it more, not less. Because that’s what makes London so great, that’s what makes this the best city in the world. And we’re going to go out and do it more.
Small-minded, cowardly, evil people should not change our way of life. They won’t make me scared on the streets of London.
I just think that the people of Manchester have inspired us in the last fortnight; and I hope the Londoners do their bit, and I’m confident that they will step up to the plate.
Angell was eating at Arabica Bar & Kitchen on London Bridge on Saturday evening. When the terrorists struck, Angell and his three companions were among diners locked inside for about half an hour while armed police secured the area.
Richard later tweeted his praise of the authorities, saying: “Their professionalism was impeccable.”
In the wake of the London Bridge terror attack, which took place at around 10pm last night, police confirmed the terrorists injured 48 people and killed seven innocent victims.
One of those hurt is a British Transport police officer who was stabbed after rushing to the scene to help the wounded. His injuries are not life-threatening.
Three attackers, who were wearing hoax bomb vests, mounted the curb in a white transit van, mowing down at least 20 pedestrians. They proceeded to get out of the vehicle and rampage through the streets towards Borough Market, brandishing long knives.
Civilians were taken to nearby Guy’s Hospital with stab wounds. The attackers entered pubs and restaurants in the area, where eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos.
Footage was shared to social media showing panic-stricken people hiding and seeking safety.
The three attackers were shot dead by police.
Their attack was brought to a swift end just eight minutes after the first emergency call was made at 10:08pm, The Met Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley confirmed in a statement.
More than 80 medics were sent to the areas of London Bridge, and adjacent Borough Market. The injured, some of them critical, are being treated in five London hospitals.
Londoners were quick to rally together and offer shelter – and a warm cup of tea – to those stranded in the area, after Transport for London closed London Bridge and neighbouring Southwark stations, along with further closures of Borough High Street and Lower Thames Street.
One cabbie, who chose to remain unidentified, even tried to mow down the attackers.
A third incident took place in Vauxhall last night, but has since been confirmed as an unrelated stabbing.
The Met Police have set up a casualty bureau on 0800 096 1233 and 020 7158 0197 for people concerned about friends or relatives
Police are asking anyone with footage of photographs of the attack to share them with authorities via the UK Police Image Appeal.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.