so an attack is imminent

[myoriginal3]

AIBU to be a little freaked, living in London?

I grew up in Northern Ireland during the troubles. Bombs, being routinely searched when going into shops, armed officers and armoured vehicles on the streets, nightly curfews was the norm. I didn't know any different. It was a sad reality, but it was my reality.

I didn't lose anyone in a terrorist attack. I did however lose 2 members of my immediate family in separate road accidents. It really is true that you are more likely to be run over by a car.

I travel into London daily. I have no choice - I have to earn my living. It's normal to be nervous at a time like this but the chances of being involved in an attack are very small.

Thanks LilCamper I will check that out.

I am deeply incensed that there have been so many 'experts' and people in positions of authority in the media, who fail to inform us of things like this.

As Atlas has mentioned I think what's worrying is that this was a "professional" bomb, if that's the right word. He was only 22 so must of been radicalised fairly quickly & surely is part of a bigger cell.

while I do think it's okay to feel a bit rattled about attending large scale events in coming months some posters seem to be struggling with rationality and probability

This. It reminds me of the MMR scare. MN at the time was full of conspiracy theories (big Pharma!) and encouragement to put intuition before rational assessment. As a result, many children were not immunised and some will have had measles as a result. They were exposed to risk that was totally unnecessary because of scare-mongering.

It is perfectly natural to feel scared of being attacked by terrorists. But a sensible person puts these fears into context instead of winding themselves & others up.

Most of these suicide bombers do seem to be very young - weren't the 7/7 bombers in their late teens/early 20s? I was quite surprised at how old the Westminster attacker was. A lot of them seem to be British born converts as well. Just makes me wonder if they have a similar mindset to the Columbine shooters, they're angry and feel marginalised for whatever reason and are attracted to extremism because it makes them feel important and gives them an excuse for violence. Although I don't know, I'm just speculating.

I live in London, although I've been away the past week and am going back later today. I'm not worried as I know security will be stepped up massively. I'm used to seeing police officers with guns at train stations although I was horrified the first time I saw them.

I feel as thought London is safe. I know it's the capital but the defiance of the community here to stick together and act with dignity, I believe, has now made it less of a target. If there is another attack, I think it'll be another unexpected location.

I was in Bluewater shopping centre recently (before Monday's attack) with DD, and we walked past 2 policemen holding massive guns. God knows what type - not rifles, but huge chunky things. Quite a culture shock for us, I can tell you.

DD is 9, and just looked at me, "those police have guns?!" I told her they were here to protect us, and some policemen have guns, but not all. Didn't know what to say tbh.

I'm not sure whether they made me feel safer or not tbh.

the level has been raised as a precaution. It is likely that due tk his age and type of attack he didn't work alone. so whilst they find out the facts, the level must be raised so security is extra vigilant. its jusy a precaution for our own saftey

There will always be disenfranchised young people and those who feel disenfranchised. even more so after Brexit.

We don't know whether this young man was actually disenfranchised. He went to grammar school and wasn't at the bottom of the heap in terms of opportunities available to him. Maybe he had learning difficulties or other behavioural conditions that were ignored by the family and his school, who knows. There will always be those that are susceptible to be radicalised and instrumentalist because they are angry and frustrated or feel unimportant and unloved.

We need to look at the global picture and get to those who radicalise and train young Muslim people both here and abroad. I agree that SA is the big elephant in the room and that there are complex relations between the UK and SA that allow Saudi Wahhabism to flourish internationally.

By the time we have electric cars and renewable energy systems in place and don't really on ME oil, Saudi probably owns 80 % of British assets. Yet it's made out that the EU is our enemy. It seems hopeless.

I would like to know how we as a country are going to deal with the ingrained machismo of men from MENA.

Often boys from arab backgrounds are raised to be gods in their families and taught to respect their fathers and male elders in their communities whilst having little respect for females (female teachers know all about this). There is this sense of hurt ego and pride and lashing out and retaliating when they feel slighted.

We can be sure that this man had no love in him, no kindness, no heart. A perfect weeping for global terrorism.

Shoes - I know what you mean, I'm used to armed police but was a little shocked when I was last in France & there were so many army men patrolling the airport. It was reassuring but also scary as it reminds of you the threat I guess?

Exactly that, Starburst. It's being aware that they're there because you're walking around a possible target.

I walk around Bluewater frequently - we dine there, go to the cinemas. We let our older boys go off and shop on their own. DS1 meets his friends there. The thought of something like this happening there, and being separated from the DC makes my blood run cold.

I was in Bluewater shopping centre recently (before Monday's attack) with DD, and we walked past 2 policemen holding massive guns. God knows what type - not rifles, but huge chunky things. Quite a culture shock for us, I can tell you.

Putting on my best Anorak, and reaching for my train spotter annual, I think you will find that they were Heckler & Koch MP5s

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckler_%26_Koch_MP5

I tend to feel that if you normalise things like this, by, for instance, quoting the model that they are, and telling the kids that they are widely used by Police Forces throughout the world, emphasising that the Police are there to protect us, it is a far less frightening experience for them.

All the cynical people aka Labour supporters who are saying TM is using this for her own political gains...go back in your hole. You'd complain if she wasn't doing anything!! She is highly skilled in the area of national security as she was Home Secretary. Better than Corbyn would be. I think he's crawled out of his hole only once since the attack and even then he couldn't bring himself to say the word terrorist.

Some people are so blinkered by their Tory hate that instead of pulling together you'd still seek to divide us. Treacherous!!

How does having armed police and soldiers on the streets protect people from suicide bombers?

People have every right to be cynical about the PM and her actions, Blair lied in order to invade Iraq, Thatcher manipulated the situation in the Falklands and then won the election. And quite frankly accusing May of using the security alerts etc to her own advantage is a very mild accusation compared to a lot that I've read on the internet in the past 24 hours

Yes, formerlyuser, I think it was probably was that. DD has been asking about Monday's attack because it was on Newsround, and she is an Ariana Grande fan. I don't think she knows that one of the victims was 8 years old. FFS. 8 years old! How can that not affect us all

I've been trying to talk rationally and calmly to her - how rare it is, how it's on the news because it's so rare. You know. What else can you do? I think calm, rational discussion helps. Then keep on keeping on.

Jupiter - I don't think it does but I guess they could prevent copycats with knives etc & potentially eliminate threats quicker.

Is it reassure the public? to be seen to be doing something? Police numbers have been cut so perhaps it's a replacement of some sort.

A friend of mine did a degree at SOAS and she said the talk in the common room was frightening. So much hatred for women and westerners, all of it coming from a very small group of young men - but a group who had been able to find likeminded people there, which made them feel it was ok to share and expand their views

I studied politics back in 90's at uni, our proff told us the biggest worry at that time was this ^^ above, fanatics taking over student unions and infiltrating with hate.

I was on a train (& running late that day...) 10 mins away from a few trains infont when the 7/7 bomb went off, our train stopped at next station and we were ordered off the train. I then took a random succession of buses into work...before texts started coming in asking if I was ok. My boyfriend at the time was stood in tunnel at station as the train was coming through it and exploded. I'll never forget sitting in the back of a van, copped up with about 10 other random strangers, in silence, as we drove through the streets- lucky enough to get a lift home that night.
I commute into Waterloo - a definite potential target- every day. I don't feel any particular extra fear than I did previously. An attack could happen anywhere/anytime- if you're scared of coming into London then just don't bother leaving your house /go to the shops/ go on holiday either... but then an attack could still happen down your road, so really- just get on with your life and rid yourself of this over the top paranoia and fear.
Don't let a few small, pathetic weirdos, who lead such sad lonely lives- the only way their will ever feel important/powerful is killing themselves and taking others with them, and hoping they will leave a legacy of fear. I'm sure most Londoners agree- it hasn't worked- we barely give them a 2nds thought.

"She is highly skilled in the area of national security as she was Home Secretary"

No she isn't '"highly skilled" she failed as home secretary, she failed to meet targets and was very unpopular with staff who knew how incompetent she was. she delivers apparently sincere and no nonsense speeches though but that's more talking the talk than walking the walk.

Maybe the timing of this attack was coincidence maybe not. I doubt we'll ever find out but as May was leading in the polls anyway, there would be absolutely no need to manipulate the GE in her favour.

Going by comments elsewhere people are not impressed that police and soldiers are protecting the 'elite' e.g. BP, HoP and WM knowing perfectly well that tanks won't stop a suicide bomber killing ordinary civilians.

It's said that UKIP is going to start campaigning for the election as of tomorrow releasing their manifesto this is not my policy book I'd say that UKIP will be the political winners here. And Daily Mail, Sun cash in nicely with this tragedy.

I think all parties have suspended political talk.

It does no good right now. There will be time to analyse motives later.

Maybe the timing of this attack was coincidence maybe not. I doubt we'll ever find out but as May was leading in the polls anyway, there would be absolutely no need to manipulate the GE in her favour.

Are you seriously suggesting this was a "false flag" operation?

Seriously?

fanjo typical Labour Corbyn butt kisser. Enjoy.

But I have wondered why he waited till the end of the concert

For maximum carnage. Its been years since I last went to a gig but all those teenagers spilling out to get around to the stage door in case their idol comes out to do some signing & meet n greets and stuff. All of them gathered in one small space and if the bomb didnt get you you're going to get caught up in the stampede running away from the explosion.

These monsters know exactly what they're doing.