Tributes to police officer killed in Westminster attack pour in from around world

Tributes have poured in for the policeman killed in the Westminster terror attack, which left a total of four dead and 20 injured.

The unnamed officer was stabbed to death by an attacker as he guarded Parliament at around 2.40pm this afternoon.

Scotland Yard’s Head of Counter Terrorism Mark Rowley said the officer died protecting the public and his fellow officers.

In a statement released after the attack, Mr Rowley said the Metropolitan Police had “lost one of our own as he acted to protect the public and his colleagues”.

The Acting Deputy Commissioner added: “This is a day we planned for but hoped would never happen.

“Sadly it’s now a reality. We will continue to do all we can to protect the people of London.”

Steve White, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, described the attack as shocking and said it demonstrated the dangers officers face.

“No words can capture how members of the policing family will feel after today’s horrific events,” he said.

“This incident highlights the very real risks that police face each and every day.

“Officers will tonight take the opportunity to hug loved ones and seek comfort in the company of friends and family.

“But one will not. The pain of that officer’s family, friends and colleagues will be shared by us all.”

Among the international messages of solidarity was a tweet from the French National Police, which voiced its support “to our British colleague @MetPoliceUK stabbed in the attack near Parliament”.

Several other forces issued messages, including the Los Angeles Police Department, who said their “thoughts & prayers are with the people of #London”.

Eyewitness Rick Longley described the knife attack: “We were just walking up to the station and there was a loud bang and a guy, someone, crashed a car and took some pedestrians out.

"They were just laying there and then the whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just opposite Big Ben.

"A guy came past my right shoulder with a big knife and just started plunging it into the policeman.

"I have never seen anything like that. I just can't believe what I just saw."