A terrorist attack in London that left four people dead around the Houses of Parliament sparked concerns for safety among Bermudians with links to the city. Staff from the island’s London Office had met earlier yesterday at the nearby Foreign and Commonwealth Office, according to Michael Dunkley, but all were reported safe.

Former reporters from The Royal Gazette provided comment in the tense aftermath of the attacks, which began at about 2.40pm London time with a Hyundai i40 ploughing into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

Three bystanders lost their lives, and a policeman, named last night as Keith Palmer, died after being stabbed by a knife-wielding man who struggled to enter Parliament after breaching its security cordon. The assailant was then shot dead by police.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, urged visitors “not to be alarmed”, while the Premier, said that London Office staff had been sent home, with the office’s director, Kimberley Durrant, offering support and advice to Bermudians in the UK.

“As far as we’re concerned, we are all right and they are taking steps to help Bermudians impacted in any way,” Mr Dunkley told The Royal Gazette.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people in the UK while they deal with this dastardly and cowardly attack.”

John Rankin, the Governor, was offered a message of sympathy, and the Premier vowed to write to Theresa May, Prime Minister of Britain, as well as Baroness Anelay, Minister for the Overseas Territories.

Mr Dunkley urged locals within London and its environs to remain “vigilant of their surroundings”.

Elizabeth Roberts, a former journalist with this newspaper who has lived in London since 2013, said that both the House of Commons and House of Lords had vowed to sit today at normal times.

“We also heard from eyewitnesses that a brave police officer ran towards the attacker who was armed with the knife and had wrestled his colleague to the ground,” Miss Roberts said.

“Both of these things made me incredibly proud of my country today.”

Rajan Simons, another former Gazette reporter, described the atmosphere as “hectic” and said many facilities had been brought to a standstill as news of the attack spread.

“There were people stuck up in the London Eye,” Ms Simons said.

“A friend of mine actually works right down in Westminster, so I was getting worried trying to locate her but she is OK. She’s telling me she couldn’t get past the area where it happened.”

Bermudian Kris Darrell, who works near Trafalgar Square, was about to leave home when a message from her roommate warned her to avoid Westminster after shots rang out.

“It was bad enough hearing about a shooting, as you very seldom hear about them, but to then get the full story was really disturbing. You don’t really get things like that happening in the city

“The atmosphere is cautious, there is definitely a police presence here, and you can hear the helicopters overhead constantly, but for the rest of the city, everyone is just going about with their evening.

“The station at Westminster is closed and of course the bridge, but otherwise than that, it’s business as usual.

“People are pretty shocked by it all, and we are all worried about whether or not something else is going to happen, but most people seem reassured by the authorities walking around, and the surveillance on the helicopters.

“We were told to be cautious, but carry on with our evenings, so most people are doing that. Nothing too different from any other Wednesday night — apart from the noise overhead.”

The atmosphere was typical of the UK capital, where residents each day are acutely conscious of “the huge terror threat looming over the city”, Miss Roberts said.

Posted warnings are commonplace, with police videos advising on “what to do if there is ever a marauding gunman”.

“There are always armed police on patrol in public areas such as railway stations and airports,” Miss Roberts added, noting that authorities had conducted exercises just three days earlier, simulating a terror attack on the River Thames.

But Londoners had been spared any major terrorist incident since the 7/7 attacks of 2005.

“I remember that day vividly, I was working as a journalist on that occasion too, and will never forget the feeling of shock and fear for your friends and family in the city.

“And just as then, I am incredibly worried and shocked despite all the warnings and precautions taken in recent years. This attacker has struck at the heart of the nation, the Parliament, where the people who represent this nation were meeting — including the Prime Minister. It is a truly shocking breach of security at a building that is one of the most heavily guarded in Britain, and it leaves you feeling that nobody is safe.

“Watching people at the scene screaming and running from gunfire is chilling. I walk through Westminster frequently and, of course, the first thought is ‘that could have been me’.

“I certainly will feel more jumpy and anxious than before as a result.”

London journalism is a small circle, and Miss Roberts expressed concern for colleagues who reported on Parliament — some of whom were briefly locked inside with MPs.

“However, the people of London are a tough bunch.

“They will not, I am sure, let this stop them going about their daily lives. I will not let this stop me enjoying all this vibrant city has to offer. Life must carry on as usual — otherwise the people that commit these acts have won.”