Westminster terrorist attack - Facebook activates 'safety check' feature

Facebook has activated its 'safety check' feature, which allows users to mark themselves as safe, following what police are describing as a "terrorist attack" at Westminster in central London today (22 March).

The feature, which has previously been activated following the Bastille attacks in France and a suicide bombing in Nigeria, also allows users to view other friends who could be in the area.

You can mark yourself as safe, see which of your friends have marked themselves as safe and also view those yet to respond here.

The Facebook feature was activated after an attack near the Houses of Parliament in London.

London's Metropolitan Police have confirmed that it's treating the attack as "a terrorist incident" until further notice. A full counter-terrorism investigation is already underway.

According to The Telegraph, witnesses described having seen a car crash into the perimeter fence on Westminster Bridge heading towards parliamentary buildings. The car reportedly hit pedestrians on its way, before the driver - armed with a knife - got out and ran in the direction of police officers outside the Houses of Parliament. Police have since confirmed these accounts, adding the sad news that the police officer who was protecting parliament was stabbed and tragically died.

Prime minister Theresa May has this evening described the attacks as ?sick and depraved.?

Full statement from Commander Harrington following the incident in #Westminster #London pic.twitter.com/vMPCXKq2Ft

Commuters have been advised to avoid the following areas of London ? Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Victoria Street up to the junction with Broadway, and the Victoria Embankment up to Embankment tube station.

From: Digital Spy