PAAt 10:08pm this evening a white transit van ploughed through crowds of pedestrians on London Bridge.
Subsequent police reports confirmed this was part of a co-ordinated attack on innocent civilians, resulting in a number of fatalities, including an incident at Borough Market. A further unrelated incident occurred at Vauxhall. This comes just weeks after Manchester was targeted by a cowardly suicide bomber.
Yet, London – as with Manchester – has reacted with an overwhelming sense of unity in the face of hate, refusing to be cowed by terror or suspicious of strangers.
https://twitter.com/SoulSmellsofAmi/status/871141329765629953
Vauxhall – if you need somewhere to stay DM me.
— Adam Clarke (@AClarke1984) June 3, 2017
Anyone in #Vauxhall that needs a safe port in a storm and fancies a game of Cards Against Humanity, the 6 of us here happy to add others.
— Jourdinho (@dukeofgrammar) June 3, 2017
Our place is 5 mins from #Vauxhall. DM if you need somewhere to go. Tea, Couch, Movies, Marmite provided #LondonBridge
— Rhys Goode (@rhys_goode) June 3, 2017
If anyone at #Londonbridge needs help. Please message me. I am only 10 mins away.
— Muzna Sufi (@MuznaSufi) June 3, 2017
I live in Vauxhall where a third incident is being reported. My home is open to anyone that needs it! Please take shelter#londonbridge
— Tarquin Ramsay (@Tarquinster) June 3, 2017
If you're caught-up in tonight's horribleness. I live near Russell Square and have tea, food & safety #londonbridge #vauxhall #boroughmarket
— Sunil Bhopal (@sunilbhop) June 3, 2017
These are the gurdwara in near the incidents if anyone is need of shelter and food or can't get to their hotel #LondonBridge #BoroughMarket pic.twitter.com/l57jBqJ69p
— ਹਰਪਿੰਦਰ ਿਸੰਘ (@RockySingh) June 3, 2017
I'm on Cannon Street with a car if anyone needs a lift home or to the hospital please DM me #LondonBridge
— Seyi Akiwowo (@seyiakiwowo) June 3, 2017
I live two minutes from Borough tube. If anyone is stuck and would like tea/somewhere to hang out then get in touch #LondonBridge
— Alex Nixon (@alexnixon_uk) June 3, 2017
I live less than 1 min from Borough tube, 5 min from LBG. Have tea and lotsa space for people to come and sit. Message & RT! #LondonBridge
— Natassia Chin (@tassiachin) June 3, 2017
if anyone needs a bed for tonght, I live in halls by southwark station, I have cider in the fridge plus bagals. #LondonBridge #BoroughMarket
— Rosie Crisp (@444Rosalinda) June 3, 2017
We're a 15 min walk from #boroughmarket and #LondonBridge for anyone who needs a place to stop – sadly no milk, but have safety and sofa.
— Lydia Dobie (@lydiadobie) June 3, 2017
Instead, London locals in Vauxhall, and the London Bridge and Borough Market areas have offered shelter and respite – and a warm brew – to those stranded in the immediate aftermath of these attacks.
Police advise civilians to stay safe by following three simple instructions as they use all the necessary resources to keep civilians safe: ‘Remain calm, but be alert & vigilant’ and ‘run to a place of safety’.
We stand together.
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.