The armed police officers who tackled the Borough Market terrorists have returned to operational duties, the Standard can reveal.
The three firearms officers from the City of London Police force have been cleared to return to work after a police watchdog fast-tracked an inquiry into the shootings.
They returned to firearms patrols nearly 100 days after fanatics Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba used a hired van to mow down pedestrians on London Bridge before launching a stabbing frenzy in Borough Market. Eight people were killed and 48 injured.
Sources describe how the firearms officers knew what they were facing - with the driver jumping from the car with a carbine already around his shoulder, ready to fire, when his usual role is to stay with the vehicle.
An insider said: “They obviously knew exactly what they were confronting, they went in knowing what they were going to have to face. They needed all the firepower they could get.”
During the attack one of the marksmen suffered an injury to his foot as the car rolled forward.
London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack
Today Scotland Yard, which is leading the investigation into the attack, said officers had spoken to more than 870 members of public and recovered around 4,500 exhibits, including 530 digital devices.
Commander Dean Haydon, the head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We look back now 100 days after an event that will live with us, our officers, the survivors and the families of those brutally killed for a life time. I’d like to pay tribute to the show of strength and resilience in the way the emergency services, London and its communities responded to this terrible attack.
“The threat from international terrorism remains at severe and we are continuing to work with colleagues around the country and our security partners to do everything we can to prevent further attacks in London and the rest of the UK.
“I urge Londoners to be vigilant and alert at all times. If they see or hear anything suspicious, then they should contact police confidentially on 0800 789 321.”
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has completed its inquiries and has stressed no officers were under investigation.
However, it is still waiting for the results of toxicology tests on the dead terrorists before it can send a final report to the coroner.
A member of the public suffered a graze to his head from a bullet which is thought to have been a ricochet.
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