The death toll from the terrorist attack in London Bridge has risen to seven, the head of Scotland Yard has revealed.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick condemned the atrocity as "appalling" and "ghastly".

She said police believe there were three attackers and that all had been "neutralised".

Attackers brought carnage to the streets of the capital, stabbing a police officer and revellers with 12-inch knives, reportedly shouting "this is for Allah".

The trio were pictured wearing what appeared to be explosive vests, with police later confirming they were hoaxes.

Police were called at around 10.08pm to reports of a vehicle striking pedestrians on London Bridge.

The white van then continued to drive to Borough Market.

Three men then left the vehicle and began to stab people, including a British Transport Police Officer.

The suspects were confronted and shot by police at Borough Market within eight minutes of the first call being made.

In addition to the seven fatalities, 48 people are being treated in hospital after being injured in the attack.

It is the third terrorist atrocity in Britain in less than three months after the Westminster and Manchester attacks in March and May.

Addressing media outside Scotland Yard, Ms Dick said: "Last night we saw another appalling and tragic incident in London - something we hoped we would not see again."

The commissioner said: "Our understanding is that there were three people involved in the attack.

"We have witness reports of three people armed with knives and three attackers. And we believe the threat that they posed was neutralised within eight minutes.

"Of course it's a very complex and confused scene, and a confused series of events, so it's important that we first of all make sure that there is no one else outstanding.

"We don't believe there is but we must make absolutely certain ... and as I said we have a very large investigation ongoing and we will be seeking to establish whether anyone else was working with or assisting in any way, or helping in the planning of this attack in the way that you would expect.

"So at the moment we believe there were three attackers and we believe they are dead."