U.K. Parliament attack: NYPD increases security following incident

Following a major terror attack on the U.K. Parliament in London, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has stepped up security measures in the United States.

The security officials at the U.S. Capitol have, reportedly, "increased situational awareness" with, however, security measures being kept as before.

Earlier on Wednesday, four people died, including a police officer, and at least 20 people were injured in an attack outside the Houses of Parliament in London.

Mark Rowley, the head of counter-terrorism at the Met, said the police officer, who was stabbed by a lone attacker attempting to enter the House of Commons, had succumbed to his injury. The suspect was also shot and killed as reported by The Guardian.

 

Prior to this, at least 20 people, including three officers, were reported hurt when the attacker drove a vehicle into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, near the Parliament.

One woman was believed to have been thrown over the bridge into the river Thames - and later pulled alive from the water - while another fell on to a hard surface below the bridge.

The lockdown of Westminster following the attack came to an end, after several hours.

Around 1000 people, including Parliament workers as well as MPs, were locked down in Westminster Abbey. They were interviewed by the police to see if they had any information that could help the inquiry.

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May described the attack as "sick and depraved."

May praised the "exceptional bravery of the police and the security services, who ran towards the danger as they encouraged others to move away." She also paid tribute to the officer who was killed by the attacker.

The U.K. Parliament confirmed it would be open as usual on Thursday.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed condolence to the victims and their families.

"On behalf of the United States, I express my condolences to the victims and their families. The American people send their thoughts and prayers to the people of the United Kingdom. We condemn these horrific acts of violence, and whether they were carried out by troubled individuals or by terrorists, the victims know no difference," a statement from Tillerson's office said.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the incident as "big news" after he was updated on the situation. He is also said to have called PM Theresa May.