Faoth leaders in the town have taken a defiant stand against terror.

Revd Dr Geoffrey Calvert, on behalf of Watford Interfaith Association and Watford's faith leaders, said prayers are being offered by all faith communities for those most severely affected by the attack.

He addedd: "As people of faith in Watford, we are shocked and saddened by the senseless and futile violence of Wednesday’s terror attack in Westminster.

"Such actions are totally contrary to the path of peaceful co-existence in which we believe, and the mutual respect in which we hold each other, and all people of goodwill.

"Even so, we are heartened that, though one person acted with hatred and violence, many hundreds, of all faiths and none, acted to save and preserve lives, and were prepared to put themselves at risk to do so. We especially recognize the bravery of PC Keith Palmer, and his colleagues in the police and other emergency services, and pray for the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died.

"In the aftermath, the outpouring of compassion for those bereaved, injured and traumatised was much more significant and meaningful for us than the negative and nihilistic act that occasioned it. Let us hold in our hearts the light of those who heal, save, and preserve, rather than the darkness of those who hate.

"Through our experience, we particularly know the Muslim people of Watford to be valued peace-loving members of our community who abhor such actions as all of us do."

Four people were killed when Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before crashing his car and stabbing officer PC Keith Palmer.

The attacker was then shot by an armed security officer of Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon.

He later died from his injuries.

The other three victims have been named as Aysha Frade, a 43-year-old British mother, Kurt Cochran, a US tourist from Utah and 75-year-old Leslie Rhodes from south London.