London attack: Why terror threat level downgraded to severe from critical

Attack suggests this was a bolt-from-the-blue attack as security services had no inkling of threat

It’s a depressingly familiar story. Terror on the streets of London, almost two weeks after the Manchester bombing. This time, a speeding van hit pedestrians on London Bridge before three assailants, wearing fake suicide vests, jumped out, stabbing members of public enjoying a Saturday night in nearby Borough Market.

They killed at least seven people and injured another 48, including four police officers. The three attackers were shot dead at the scene by armed officers.

The response of London’s emergency services has been commendable. In just eight minutes, armed officers had arrived on the scene and stopped further attacks,