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The van used by the attackers Met Police

London attack: Men 'tried to use 7.5 tonne lorry'

Police also released an image and appealed for information on the knives used in the attack.

LONDON POLICE HAVE said that the three men who carried out last week’s terror attack had attempted to hire a seven-and-a-half tonne lorry to use, but were unable to do so.

Police also released an image and appealed for information on the knives used in the attack.

The attackers - Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba – attempted to hire a 7.5 tonne lorry online last Saturday morning but did not provide payment details and the rental did not go ahead.

The were shot and killed last Saturday night after they drove a van through pedestrians on the London Bridge and stabbed others nearby, killing eight and injuring scores of others.

A total of 18 people have been arrested since the attack, with five remaining in custody.

Gardaí issued an appeal this morning on behalf of London police for witnesses to the attack to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the white van targeting individuals on London Bridge, saw the suspects attacking members of the public or armed police engaging the suspects.

Knives

Police said that ceramic pink knives were found on or nearby the three attackers after police had shot them dead last Saturday.

The knives the men used each measures 12 inches and are branded Ernesto. They are ceramic, rather than metal.

The attackers had wound duct tape around the handles and in one case a leather strap had been attached to the handle and hung around an attacker’s wrist.

Police appealed for any information around the knives – where they came from or where they were bought.

Van

Police also released images of the white Renault van, registration plate number HN66 TKX, used by the three men to carry out the attack.

Met police said that counter-terrorism officers had so far spoken to 262 people from 19 different countries as part of the investigation. Of these, 78 are significant witnesses.

Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said that police were in particular looking to speak to people who saw the van target people on London Bridge and attacking people with the knives.

Police recovered a number of items from the van:

  • 13 wine bottles with rags wrapped around them and believed to be filled with a flammable liquid
  • Two blow torches
  • A few offices chairs and a suitcase
  • Gravel bags

The men were also wearing hoax suicide belts consisting of plastic water bottles wrapped in grey duct tape.

Anyone in Ireland with information can contact London police here

Read: Spanish ‘skateboard hero’ who died in the London attack awarded a medal

Read: ‘We are extremely proud of his immense bravery’: Family of officer injured in London Bridge attack

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    Mute Andy Cahalan
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    Aug 8th 2016, 4:56 PM

    Cats should have the same legal protection as dogs regarding cruelty. I’ve had two poisoned by pigeon keepers in the past two years and caught two young girls taking and trying to throw my old blind cat in to traffic recently. I hope the folks who do this get rat and mouse infestations!

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    Mute Andy Cahalan
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    Aug 8th 2016, 4:57 PM

    I do get this is cats in the wild but serious cruelty is going on all the time!

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Aug 8th 2016, 6:31 PM

    Are your cats going into a pigeon coups? Or other people’s yards? You should be stopping them

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    Mute Chlorines72
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    Aug 8th 2016, 7:07 PM

    You can’t stop instinct.

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    Mute Irishoversea
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    Aug 8th 2016, 7:16 PM

    Well if you read her comment fully you would know it can be stopped..

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    Mute Chlorines72
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    Aug 8th 2016, 7:17 PM

    Irishoversea

    I was responding to Mark Ryan .

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    Mute Kinsaleable
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    Aug 9th 2016, 9:55 AM

    They shouldn’t be left out then. The least people should do is put a bell on their collar. They are basically an invasive species when wandering around on their own killing small wild animals.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Aug 8th 2016, 5:12 PM

    Great work by the ISPCA. Shame on the owners who caused this.

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    Mute Rach Browne
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    Aug 8th 2016, 5:25 PM

    Heartbreaking, poor little things.

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    Mute Wurps
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    Aug 8th 2016, 7:45 PM

    Very hard to st this kind of thing happening when irresponsible owners let unnuetered uncollared pets roam uncontrolled.

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    Mute Alois Irlmaier
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    Aug 8th 2016, 9:21 PM

    Cats are social animals, so were they all feral???

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    Mute noel smullen
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    Aug 8th 2016, 9:39 PM

    Sad news on international cats day! Or any other day.

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    Mute Ciarán FitzGerald
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    Aug 9th 2016, 9:24 AM

    We are behind in this country in terms of animal cruelty. Every few days another story of savagry but never any convictions. Its also cruel to let cats roam wild and to think that you’re “looking after them” by throwing out a tin of food every few days. Sadly too many people do this. The biggest killer of wildlife in Ireland is the domestic cat turned feral. Poisoning is not the answer but I would defend pigeon keepers dealing with problem cats. I have a bird pen and cats do the most damage – but its nearly always a neglected feral one infested with mange and fleas.
    People should know where there cats are – I have cousins who had their cat shot by a farmer for attacking chickens, they hadnt a clue where the cat had been going. Yes cats are social animals but you are responsible for your pet also – like everyone blames the owners when dogs attack sheep and rightly so. Double standard by many cat owners.

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    Mute Leo Lowe
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    Aug 8th 2016, 6:43 PM

    This would never be allowed to happen in Kilkenny.

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    Mute conair
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    Aug 8th 2016, 10:59 PM

    I love good pussy

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