London attackers used fake explosive belts, a first in the UK
The three men behind the London Bridge attack wore fake explosive belts, a tactic first in a UK attack. Police say the motive behind wearing the fake vests is yet unknown, but praise the courage of people who tackled the terrorists even if it seemed they could blow themselves up at any moment.
According to the Metropolitan Police, all three of the attackers wore the leather belts. Each had three disposable water bottles covered in masking tape attached to the belt. The belts were still attached to the suspects when they were shot dead.
“I have not seen this tactic in the UK before where terrorists create maximum fear by strapping fake explosives to themselves. Anyone who saw them on the night would have thought they were genuine. It is hard to speculate what the motive was for wearing the belts. It could be that they had plans to take the attack in to a siege situation or it might be that they saw it as protection from being shot themselves. It makes the bravery of those police officers and members of the public who tackled the terrorists even more remarkable. The belt would have been visible to them and if you are fighting back or aiming a shot at someone wearing the device you would clearly be very aware that you could be caught in an explosion,” Commander Dean Haydon, who is leading the investigation, said.
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The Metropolitan Police have released pictures of the fake explosive belts worn by the London Bridge attackers.
Metropolitan Police detectives released on Saturday other strong images of distinctive pink knives used during the London Bridge terrorist attack on June 3.
Officers have so far spoken to 262 people from 19 different countries. Of these, 78 are significant witnesses. They believe there will be many others who witnessed the incidents who have yet to speak to police, and are asking them to come forward.
Eight people were killed and 48 were injured, including four unarmed police officers, after three men drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge. Wielding knives, the men then left the van and went to the nearby Borough Market area, where they stabbed people in and around restaurants and pubs.
Police have made more than a dozen arrests in the wake of the London Bridge attacks, but most have now been released without charge.
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