Firstly, I hope this is the correct place for this, given that it's probably a terrorist attack, I thought R&P was the best place.
This afternoon a British serviceman was attacked and killed near his base in Woolwich. Apparently 2 individuals crashed a car into him, got out of the car and attacked the man with a sword or machete. The victim was wearing a 'Help for Heroes' shirt - a charity that raises money for injured troops.
The two attackers were ostensibly of Muslim appearance, and shouted allahu akbar (god is great) upon killing the man, and then according to reports asked onlookers to take photographs of their deed. Apparently the incident was also filmed.
Police then arrived, and shot the two men, who are now in hospital. The incident is being treated as a terrorist attack.
Pretty crazy huh? I can see this leading to a lot more table thumping by the EDL and BNP and probably UKIP and anyone else of their ilk. The usual kind of thing, about how Muslims are all violent rapists who are destroying British culture and identity and abusing our customs etc. I think it calls for some responsible reporting, but no doubt there will be plenty of sensationalist hype from the media too :(
Still, it does highlight a pretty serious problem in the UK, and of itself is an exceptionally brutal attack.
BBC live: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22630304