Westminster car crash: Armed police praised for quick response to apprehend driver

Armed police have been praised for their quick response to the driver who crashed his car into a security barrier in Westminster.

The suspect, named by government sources as Salih Khater, 29, ploughed a silver Ford Fiesta into barriers outside the Houses of Parliament just before 7.40am on Tuesday.

The British citizen, originally from Sudan, is being held on suspicion of terrorism.

Three people were injured after the car hit cyclists and pedestrians during morning rush hour.

Politicians were unanimous in their praise for the officers who apprehended the suspect after he crashed into the barriers.

Home secretary Sajid Javid said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the emergency services for the speed at which they responded and apprehended immediately the suspect.

“This is a reminder to us all of the work they do – day in, day out – to keep us safe.”

He also thanked the people of London, saying: “This is not the first time we have seen an incident of this type on the streets of London.

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“I would like to thank them for their resolve and resilience, and their determination to make sure those who seek to exploit these types of incidents will not be allowed to divide us.”

Mr Javid added: “My thoughts are with the members of the public injured in this attack,” he said.

“Thankfully, none of them received life-threatening injuries and I would like to take this opportunity to wish them a speedy recovery.

Conservative MP and former home secretary Amber Rudd tweeted: “My thoughts are with all those injured and affected by today’s attack in Westminster.

“I’ve seen first-hand the bravery and professionalism of our emergency services and I know it is second to none.

“I want to thank them for their swift response this morning.”

Labour MP David Lammy tweeted: “Awful news from Westminster. My thoughts are with all those injured.

“Thanks for a quick response from @metpoliceuk, Parliament security and the London Ambulance Service.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also thanked those who were first on the scene.

“All Londoners, like me, utterly condemn all acts of terrorism on our city,” he said.

“The response of Londoners today shows that we will never be cowed, intimidated or divided by any terrorist attack.

“I have been and will continue to be in close touch with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Transport for London, and the other emergency services.

“My heartfelt thanks goes to the brave first responders who were so quickly on the scene following the attack.”

Deputy Labour leader, Tom Watson, said it was “another reminder of the bravery and professionalism of our emergency services”.

Conservative MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan praised the “amazing police looking after us all as ever”.

Security minister Ben Wallace also thanked the emergency services.

He called on the public to be vigilant about odd behaviour and report it to police to help stop future terror attacks.

The MP warned that as attackers use “everyday items” such as knives and cars to strike a “free and open” society, individuals, community leaders and car hire businesses among others should “get ahead of the game”.

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