One man dead in 'machete' attack in Woolwich

One man has been killed in a major incident in Woolwich in south-east London on Wednesday afternoon.

Although neither the police or the government has at this stage confirmed the attack as a terrorist incident, the Prime Minister, speaking from Paris said there is a "strong indication" that this was the case.

Initial reports suggest that the dead man, who was believed to be wearing a Help for Heroes t-shirt, is a serving soldier (as yet unconfirmed) from the nearby Woolwich Barracks.

The man, who has not been named, was killed on John Wilson Street near to the Barracks and close to a primary school in what eye witnesses have described as a crazed attack by two other men.

Reports suggest a car was deliberately driven at the man by the two men who proceeded to get out of the vehicle and attack him with a number of weapons. A crashed car can be seen in video and TV pictures from the scene.

It is understood the attackers carried a machete and a gun

Armed police who it is believed took approximately 20 minutes to arrive at the scene, are reported to have shot the two suspects. Both suspects are injured and have been taken to separate local hospitals.

Witness reports suggest that the two men lingered at the scene after the attack and attempted to video themselves in the aftermath. Reports also suggest they may have charged at the arriving police.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) have confirmed that their investigators have been deployed to the scene and to the post-incident process, a standard procedure in such circumstances.

The incident took place near to Mulgrave Primary School, which was forced to go into lock-down to ensure the safety of the children attending the school. Head Teacher David Dixon told BBC reporters that both children and parents had reacted in a calm and orderly manner and were able to go home at the normal time.

The BBC have reported that the attackers may have shouted "Allahu Akbar" meaning God is Great.

ITV News has broadcast a video recorded by a passer-by, where one of the alleged attackers, holding a machete and with bloodied hands, speaks to the camera. He says: "We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you."

He adds: "I apologise that women have had to witness this today, but in our land our women have to see the same.

"You people will never be safe. Remove your government, they don't care about you."

He proceeds to return to the other side of the road near where the body is seen to be lying and where the other alleged attacker is also seen. Also in the video, some members of the public are seen to be in the vicinity of the body of the dead man.

The Home Secretary Theresa May has called a meeting of COBRA, the Government's emergency response committee. She called the murder "sickening and barbaric".

Security has been tightened at all London barracks.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, is returning to the UK from Paris.