SAS 'Blue Thunder' Unit Was Dispatched For The 'First Time' Last Night

An elite SAS unit, nick-named Blue Thunder, is believed to have been dispatched for the first-time in response to last night's terror attack in London.

Armed police officers shot and killed three suspected terrorists within eight minutes of receiving the call. However, during the chaos, it was believed one suspect had escaped.

The unit was sent out to mobilise Special Forces agents, at the scene, to help track down the 'missing terrorist'.

An unmarked helicopter was photographed landing on London Bridge last night. Credit: PA

'Blue Thunder', which gets its name from the unmarked helicopters used to fly troops around the country, takes orders directly from the Home Secretary and is a team of 70 special agents. It was formed after the terror attack in Paris in 2015 and has undergone rigorous training in how to tackle terror scenarios.

According to the Daily Mail, last night is the first time the unit has ever been used in Britain, but the Home Office have refused to comment.

Photographs appeared to show two helicopters landing on London Bridge shortly after the attacks.

The type of helicopter snapped is the same as those used to transport Special Forces around the country quickly.

Armed police out in force in London today. Credit: PA

Calls were made to the Metropolitan Police at 10.08pm, when a white van was reported to have ploughed into people on London Bridge, before driving off and crashing into a pub.

The suspects then jumped out of the van and began a horrific knife attack on people who were out enjoying their Saturday night.

At 10.16pm, armed police arrived at the scene, where officers opened fire on the suspects, killing them.

Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick announced earlier today that no suspects were still at large.

Credit: PA

The bravery of the police officers has been praised by both the public and officials.

Prime Minister Theresa May spoke of the 'great courage and great speed' of officers when dealing with the incident.

Seven people were killed in the attacks and at least 48 were taken into hospitals around London.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19