- Five dead including police officer and London terrorist
- 40 hurt after being mowed down by car on Westminster Bridge
- Attacker shot by police as he rushes at Palace of Westminster
- Witnesses describe Asian man in 40s with eight-inch long knife
Counter-terror detectives are continuing to search for clues about about how an armed attacker brought death and destruction to the streets of London on Wednesday.
Five people were killed in the "sick and depraved" terror attack, including a police officer who was stabbed and his assailant.
Mark Rowley, Scotland Yard's top anti-terror officer, confirmed that 40 people were injured after the attacker - armed with two large knives - mowed down pedestrians with his car on Westminster Bridge then rushed at the gates in front of the Houses of Parliament, stabbing a plain-clothes policeman before he was shot by armed officers.
The officer who died was named as Keith Palmer, 48, a husband and father, whose bravery was hailed by colleagues, friends and the many MPs whom he was charged with protecting.
Keith Palmer Credit: Metropolitan Police
The three other fatalities are understood to be people who were hit by the car on Westminster Bridge.
Mr Rowley declined to name the attacker, but said police suspect he was "inspired by international terrorism" - and that they believed they knew who he was.
BBC Newsnight reported there was a suggestion the car used in the attack was hired from an address in Birmingham. However, this has not been confirmed.
Armed police were involved in a raid at a residential property in the city late on Wednesday night, with Hagley Road reportedly closed for about 3 hours from 11pm.
There is no indication that the raid was linked to the attack at Westminster. West Midlands Police told MailOnline "there was an ongoing police operation", and referred inquiries to Scotland Yard, who have not commented on the incident.
Witnesses described scenes of terror when gunfire rang out as the attacker approached a second officer within yards of the Houses of Parliament.
The suspected attacker was pictured being treated by paramedics on a stretcher, as two knives used in the assault lay on the ground nearby.
Paramedics fought to save his life and that of Mr Palmer on the floor of the cobbled courtyard in front of Parliament, with Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood among those who rushed to help.
"Heartbroken" former colleague, Conservative MP James Cleverly, paid tribute to the "lovely man" he had known for a quarter of a century.
"I've known Keith for 25 years. We served together in the Royal Artillery before he became a copper. A lovely man, a friend. I'm heartbroken.
"My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Pc Keith Palmer. A brave man."
MPs said that the terror attack could have been prevented if police on duty at a well-known security “weak spot” had simply kept it bolted.
Footage later emerged of the moment police opened fire after the attacker drove a grey Hyundai i40 across Westminster Bridge before crashing it into railings then running through the gates of the Palace of Westminster.
In other developments, another woman who apparently fell into the Thames was rescued and given urgent medical treatment on a nearby pier.
London Ambulance Service said paramedics had treated at least 10 patients on Westminster Bridge. A party of French schoolchildren were among those targeted on the bridge, with three injured.
Mrs May, who was ushered away from Parliament after the attack, was chairing a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee.
The attack left a trail of destruction as paramedics tended to victims on the bridge and at the gate.
Witnesses said the attacker was shot by police as he approached a second officer clutching his knife during the incident at about 2.45pm.
The vehicle rammed into a perimeter fence outside the Palace of Westminster Credit: Lukesteele4/Twitter
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