More than 160 people seek support following the London Bridge attack

3 July 2017

More than eight out of ten people in contact with Victim Support following the London Bridge terror attack needed help due to the horrific scenes they witnessed.

Today (Monday, 3 July) marks exactly a month since the terror attack, which happened on London Bridge and at Borough Market late at night on Saturday 3 June.

Figures show 84 per cent of people in contact with Victim Support sought emotional help or trauma first aid treatment after seeing the attacks take place.

Due to the location, people saw a great deal of the violence that occurred, including those locked in local pubs and restaurants who witnessed the horror through windows as the terrorists went about their murderous rampage.

Eight innocent people were murdered and 48 injured by killers Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22. All three were shot dead by police at the scene.

Bernadette Keane, Victim  Support’s London Director, said: ‘We saw a significant number of people contacting us after the attacks seeking emotional support and trauma treatment because of the terrible scenes they witnessed.

‘Borough Market is a huge draw for people at the weekend. If you know the layout of the market you will appreciate just how many people would have been able to see the attacks unfold.

‘There are scores of places to eat and drink with full length windows looking out on to the market and, as staff and diners bravely wedged doors shut to protect themselves and others from the terrorists, those inside were able to see clearly what was going on as the attackers went about killing and severely injuring innocent people outside.’

In total, 163 people were in contact with Victim Support for help following the London Bridge attack. The families of those that are killed are asked by the police if they wish to be referred to Victim Support to provide them specialist and practical support as are those seriously injured.

But the charity knows from experience that people who witness terror events can be affected by trauma weeks and months afterwards and is keen to let these people know free specialist and practical support is available to them for as long as they need it by calling Victim Support’s supportline on 0808 16 89 111.

Claire Waxman, Victims’ Commissioner for London, said: ‘It’s important that anyone who witnessed this horrific attack knows that Victim Support is available to them.

‘Victims and witnesses can access practical and emotional help, and be signposted to specialist services to help them recover from this traumatic experience. No-one should suffer in silence, so it’s vital that people know the support is out there to help them cope.’

Victim Support is funded by the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime to support victims and provides specialist emotional help, such as counselling and trauma first aid, as well as practical help, such as helping people deal with funerals, financial arrangements and travel.

Victim Support also helped nearly 500 people caught up in the Manchester Arena terror attack, which saw 22 people tragically lose their lives.

In addition to these, Victim Support also recorded a significant 48 per cent rise nationally in the number of people seeking help after suffering hate crime in the days following the Manchester and London terror attacks. In Manchester, this equated to a 55 per cent rise and in London a 48 per cent rise.

• Victim Support offers specialist and emotional support to victims of all crime, including terrorism, and we would urge anybody seeking help to contact us on our 24/7 supportline – the number is 08 08 16 89 111.

Notes for editors

For more information please contact Victim Support’s press office on 0207 268 0202 or email press@victimsupport.org.uk.