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Bravery of passerby who tried to calm suspected killer

Woman tried to calm suspected attacker moments after the attack Credit: ITV Daybreak

A woman who risked her life to confront an armed man suspected of slaughtering a British soldier in broad daylight has described how she tried to calm him moments after the barbaric attack.

Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, 48, was on a bus heading through Woolwich in south east London yesterday afternoon when she spotted the stricken soldier lying bloodied in the road.

Her bravery - and that of others who tried to reason with the killers - has been praised, particularly in the wake of amateur footage from the scene, which shows one of the two suspects making political statements about the slaughter while still brandishing weapons.

Cub leader Ms Loyau-Kennett was speaking today ahead of a meeting by the Government's emergency response committee, Cobra, which is due to discuss security measures following the attack.

Ms Loyau-Kennett, of Helston in Cornwall, told ITV Daybreak she initially thought the victim had been injured in a car crash after spotting a badly damaged vehicle on a pavement at the scene.

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Woolwich attack widely condemned

by Faye Barker

Community leaders across London have condemned yesterday's brutal attack in Woolwich on a member of the armed forces.

Security has been stepped up at military bases in the capital and police are asking anyone with still or moving images of the attack to send it to: woolwich@metincident.co.uk

Meanwhile two men have been arrested after separate attacks on mosques following the incident. One was an attempted arson in Braintree, the other criminal damage in Gillingham.

More on this story here

Unusual animal diet

Dogs at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Dogs at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Credit: Jane Mingay/PA Archive/Press Association Images

A new survey by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home reveals some of the more unusual objects our pets have accidentally consumed.

On the list of unusual items digested are a balloon, a rubber duck, and a baby shoe.

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Far-right EDL calls for protests over Woolwich attack

Far-right organisation English Defence League has called on its supporters to gather in Woolwich to protest in response to today's attack.

Leading members have called for people to "take to the streets" and asked them to join a local division of the organisation.

One message, posted online, asked members to get to London "...now if possible."

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Mayor: 'Overwhelmingly likely' killing was terror attack

London mayor Boris Johnson said it was "overwhelmingly likely" an attack in south London in which a man was hacked to death was an act of terror.

"Obviously it's early to have all the facts ... I am afraid it is overwhelmingly likely now to be a terrorist attack, the kind the city has seen before," he said in televised remarks.

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Arrests after mosque attacks

Two men have been arrested after separate attacks on mosques following the terrorist incident in Woolwich.

A 43-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of attempted arson after reportedly walking into a mosque with a knife in Braintree, Essex.

Local MP Brooks Newmark tweeted:

Tweetbrooks?size=bigger

Just met with leaders of local mosque in Braintree which was attacked this evening. Thanked local police for their swift response.

From @TweetBrooks on Twitter:

Essex Police confirmed a 43-year-old from Braintree had been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and attempted arson after the incident.

Meanwhile police in Kent were called to reports of criminal damage at a mosque in Canterbury Street, Gillingham.

A spokesman said a man is in custody on suspicion of racially-aggravated criminal damage.

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