Britain's defiance

AS the security services establish the motive of the suspect now in police custody following a suspected terrorist-related incident outside the Houses of Parliament, the exemplary reaction of the police '“ and general public '“ was, once again, the best riposte to those extremists who still seek to undermine this country's values.

Forensic officers by the car that crashed into security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.

Not only were the emergency services on the scene instantaneously, and able to bring the situation under control expeditiously, but London commuters simply carried on as normal in a collective show of defiance that has become the hallmark of Britain’s resolve following a number of high-profile terrorist attacks in recent years.

A calm and measured response, this alleged attack is, nevertheless, another reminder about the need for continued vigilance – the police, and M15, were already trying to monitor hundreds of suspects, some of whom pose a greater threat than others, before this terrifying incident which injured three people as other bystanders fled for their lives.

Yet, while the number of casualties was, thankfully, very low because Parliament remains on a constant state of high alert, even during the summer recess when most MPs, peers and staff are on holiday, the Government is, at the very least, duty-bound to review resource levels in the rest of the country to give the police, and partner agencies, the best chance of preventing future attacks against the liberty of all.