London Bridge attack: Second victim named as Saskia Jones, former Cambridge University student

The second victim of the London Bridge attack has been named as former Cambridge University student, Saskia Jones.

The 23-year-old, from Stratford-upon-Avon, died alongside Jack Merritt, when terrorist Usman Khan went on a knife rampage at an event at Fishmongers' Hall in London on Friday.

Stephen Toope, vice chancellor of the university, said in a statement that he was "sad beyond words" to confirm the news as he condemned the "abhorrent and senseless act of terror."

Both were graduates of the University of Cambridge and were involved in the Learning Together programme – Jack as a co-ordinator and Saskia as a volunteer. Family liaison officers are supporting their families.

In a statement, Saskia's family said:“Saskia was a funny, kind, positive influence at the centre of many people’s lives. She had a wonderful sense of mischievous fun and was generous to the point of always wanting to see the best in all people.

“She was intent on living life to the full and had a wonderful thirst for knowledge, enabling her to be the best she could be.

“Saskia had a great passion for providing invaluable support to victims of criminal injustice, which led her to the point of recently applying for the police graduate recruitment programme, wishing to specialise in victim support.

“This is an extremely painful time for the family. Saskia will leave a huge void in our lives and we would request that our privacy is fully respected.”

The other victim was Jack Merritt, 25, who worked for the university's criminology department and was a course co-ordinator for Friday's Learning Together event at Fishmongers' Hall in central London that was attended by Usman Khan, the attacker.

Mr Toope said: "I am devastated to learn that among the victims of the London Bridge attack were staff and alumni of the University of Cambridge, taking part in an event to mark five years of the Learning Together programme.

"What should have been a joyous opportunity to celebrate the achievements of this unique and socially transformative programme, hosted by our Institute of Criminology, was instead disrupted by an unspeakable criminal act.

"I am sad beyond words to report that a course coordinator, Jack Merritt, was killed, as was a former student not yet named by the Metropolitan Police.

"Among the three people injured, whose identities have not been publicly released, is a member of University staff."

He said the university was providing support and counselling for staff and students affected by the atrocity.

Tributes have been pouring in for Mr Merritt.  His father David, also from Cambridge, described his son as "a beautiful spirit who always took the side of the underdog" and who believed deeply in the concept of prisoner rehabilitation.

Neighbours near the family home paid tribute to Mr Merritt, describing him as "such a fine young man" who "devoted his life to helping others less fortunate than himself ".

Dawn Marr, 80, who used to babysit him and younger brother Joe, said: "This is tragic. I just can't believe it and I'm totally shocked. He was such a fine young man and his father was very proud of him."

Learning Together is described as "bringing students in higher education and criminal justice institutions together in transformative learning communities". As part of the programme, students based at the University of Cambridge studied with prisoners on university-level courses.

The aim was to form connections that "make society more inclusive and safer by reducing reoffending".

Mr Merritt, who had attended Hills Road Sixth Form in Cambridge, graduated in law from the University of Manchester and then studied at Cambridge.

Khan was shot dead by police at the scene after being chased down by members of the public.