Summary The three attackers were wearing fake suicide belts consisting of plastic water bottles.
LONDON (Web Desk) - The London Metropolitan police have today (Sunday) released pictures of the fake explosive belts worn by the London Bridge attackers.
"All three of the attackers wore the leather belts. Each had three disposable water bottles covered in masking tape attached to the belt. The belts were still attached to the suspects when they were shot dead," the Metropolitan Police said in a press release.
Commander Dean Haydon, who is leading the investigation, said: "I have not seen this tactic in the UK before where terrorists create maximum fear by strapping fake explosives to themselves.
"Anyone who saw them on the night would have thought they were genuine. It is hard to speculate what the motive was for wearing the belts. It could be that they had plans to take the attack in to a siege situation or it might be that they saw it as protection from being shot themselves.
"It makes the bravery of those police officers and members of the public who tackled the terrorists even more remarkable. The belt would have been visible to them and if you are fighting back or aiming a shot at someone wearing the device you would clearly be very aware that you could be caught in an explosion."
Officers have so far spoken to 262 people from 19 different countries. Of these, 78 are significant witnesses. They believe there will be many others who witnessed the incidents who have yet to speak to police, and are asking them to come forward.
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The tree attackers who rammed into pedestrians at high speed on London Bridge on June 3 were earlier identified by the police as Rachid Redouane, Youssef Zaghba, and Khuram Shazad Butt.
Another arrest made in #LondonBridge terrorist attack investigation https://t.co/BEcqLYoI3a
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 10, 2017
Investigators believe three victims were killed on the bridge, including one man who was thrown into the Thames River, before the attackers left the vehicle and stabbed five people to death around London s busy Borough Market, Haydon said. Police believe Butt was driving the van.
The attackers used distinct, pink-coloured, ceramic kitchen knives. Do you recognise them? Did you see the knives being purchased? pic.twitter.com/HehPGIMdtB
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 10, 2017
Eighteen people have been arrested in connection with last week s attack. All but five have been released. Searches are continuing.
Butt, who police consider the attack ringleader, had been on bail after being arrested for fraud in a case in October of last year, police said.
