London attacker named as British-born citizen

The man who ran down and killed five people in an attack the British Houses of Parliament has been named by officials as Khalid Masood.

Police say he was born in Kent, England and formally worked as an English teacher.

Yesterday, Masood ploughed his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before driving into the gates surrounding Parliament and stabbing a police officer.

Dozens were injured in the attack which has been named an act of terror by Prime Minister Theresa May.

May said he had once been investigated by MI5 over concerns of violent extremism, but was a peripheral figure.

Police say Masood, 52, was a father of three and was previously convicted for a range of criminal offences.

“He was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences,” a Met Police spokesman said.

“His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife.”

Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the attack, but did not identify Masood by name, leaving authorities questioning whether this was a lone wolf attack, reports the ABC.

Meanwhile, mourners have gathered in London’s famed Trafalgar Square to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack.

The candlelight vigil drew people from nationalities around the world, with politicians and police caught up in the chaos of the attack attending to pay their respects to the victims.

What are your thoughts on yesterday’s events? Do you worry about similar attacks occurring in Australia?