A male suspect wearing a hoax explosive device was shot dead Sunday in south London by police officers after he stabbed two people in an Islamist-related terrorist incident, London's Metropolitan Police said.
The police said three people were injured during the attack which took place in London's Streatham neighborhood. Two victims were stabbed and a third sustained minor injuries caused by glass after the police discharged a firearm. All three were transported to the hospital.
One victim, a man, is being treated for life-threatening injuries. The other victim, a woman, has non-life threatening injuries. The third victim, also a woman, was treated for minor injuries.
According to the BBC, the assailant was under police surveillance and had been released one week ago from prison, where he was serving a 3-year sentence for terror-related activities
A device later determined to be a hoax was found strapped to the body of the suspect, the police said in a statement.
Officers from the counter terrorism command are leading an investigation into the incident, which is believed to be "Islamist-related," said Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service Lucy D'Orsi.
Following the attack U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the emergency personnel while saying his thoughts were with those affected.
He also said stricter measures could be put in place for how the country responds to terror-related incidents going forward.
"Tomorrow, we will announce further plans for fundamental changes to the system for dealing with those convicted of terrorism offences," Johnson said in a statement from Downing Street.
He said that following November's terrorist attack near London Bridge which left two dead and three injured, the government has "moved quickly to introduce a package of measures to strengthen every element of our response to terrorism – including longer prison sentences and more money for the police."
The London Ambulance Service said it was called at 1:58 pm local time following "reports of an incident in Streatham High Road." Just before 4 pm the police said via Twitter that the situation had been "fully contained."
London's mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement via Twitter that he was in "close contact with the Met Commissioner and local representatives." He thanked the police, security and emergency services staff. "Terrorists seek to divide us and to destroy our way of life -- here in London we will never let them succeed," he added.