London police treating Parliament attack as 'terrorist incident'

London's Metropolitan Police said it is treating an attack near the British Parliament buildings Wednesday as a "terrorist incident."

Authorities placed the legislative building and surrounding area, including Westminster Bridge, on lockdown after witnesses reported hearing reports of gunshots around 2:40 p.m.

Leader of the House of Commons David Lidington said a police officer was stabbed in the incident and an assailant was shot dead, BBC reported.

The Guardian reported up to 12 people may have been injured when a vehicle drove into a crowd on Westminster Bridge, which is near the Houses of Parliament.

"Officers -- including firearms officers -- remain on the scene and we are treating this as a terrorist incident until we know otherwise," Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command joined the investigation.

Within minutes of shots being fired, eight armed undercovered police rushed British Prime Minister from Parliament to a waiting vehicle.
  [upi.com]
22/3/17