12 arrested in London’s night of terror; IS claims attack

TIL Desk/World/London/British police arrested a dozen people in a widening terrorism investigation after attackers using a van and large knives turned a balmy evening of nightlife into a bloodbath and killed seven people in the heart of London. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility today.

Although the attackers were also dead, authorities raced to determine whether they had accomplices, and Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday warned that the country faced a new threat from copycat attacks.

The country’s major political parties temporarily suspended campaigning with only days to go before the general election. May said the vote would take place as scheduled Thursday because “violence can never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process.”

The assault unfolded over a few terrifying minutes late Saturday, starting when a rented van veered off the road and barreled into pedestrians on busy London Bridge.