FORMER Shoalhaven resident and ABC journalist Ainslie Drewitt-Smith was around three kilometres away from Wednesday’s attack in London.
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Describing the attack as ”scary” she said there was a marked increase in security in the area and a notable increased police presence.
Working with a London marketing agency, Ms Drewitt-Smith was in her office when the incident on the Westminster Bridge and inside the grounds of the Houses of Parliament unfolded.
“We were not in the immediate impact zone, we were a few kilometres away but we were aware something was going on,” she said.
“We started hearing reports and local media was sending out alerts on apps. We went on-line, monitoring the incident and it was on the televisions in the office
“At first it was unclear what was happening.
“We were hearing reports of shots fired and thought someone had been shot at that point.
“Then it all started to unfold and we later found out a number of pedestrians had been hit by a car on Westminster Bridge before it crashed into the gates of the Houses of Parliament.
“From there we heard a police officer, inside the gates, had been stabbed by the assailant and it became apparent this was more serious than what was originally thought.”
She said the whole incident was a bit close to home but people seemed calm about it.
“We were close but also far away,” she said
“I’ve talked to friends here about the attack. In Australia obviously to hear something like this rocks the core of us as it is not as common.
“But leaving work everyone seemed relatively calm.
“Those of us not in the immediate area where this was unfolding were just getting on with their daily lives.
“It seemed people were a lot more desensitized to it because it does happen a lot more frequently across Europe and the UK.
“But it is not the nicest things to be around. It was scary.
Really it could have been you. You could have been there at any time. Most locals have crossed Westminster Bridge. It is between two of the biggest tourist attractions, the London Eye and obviously the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben. There are always lots of tourists there.”
- Ainslie Drewitt-Smith
“Especially when you hear the number of casualties, it hits home.
“In London the public transport system is so good, you walk around a lot.
“Really it could have been you. You could have been there at any time.
“Most locals have crossed Westminster Bridge, it is between two of the biggest tourist attractions, the London Eye and obviously the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben.
“There is always lots of tourists there. At the time I know there was a university group crossing the bridge and a number were injured.
“It’s one of those scary moments where you definitely could have been in that position.
“You are just so unaware when it might happen.”
She said security in the area had been markedly stepped up.
“There is a lot of security there anyway but the one thing that was starkly different from your average Wednesday afternoon in London was there was definitely a heightened police presence,” she said.
“There were a lot of police cars whipping around the area within the radius of the incident, you could see that.
“Local media has said there would be an increased police presence with extra officers on the ground and patrolling some of those keys areas around London.
“Those tourism hot spots and obviously where a lot of the MPS spend their time around the Houses of Parliament and elsewhere.”
She admitted her journalistic skills kicked in.
“When I was at work a few people said ‘get home safely’ and ‘avoid the Westminster area if getting tubes, trains or public transport’. My immediate response was I should get down there with my recorder,” she said.
“I think people in the office thought I was a bit mad. But as a journalist you’re instinctively curious about what is going on and want to find out more.
“I’ve had calls from the South Coast Register and my former station ABC to what’s going on and the feeling is around here.
“Of course my thoughts go to the families and friends of those injured and killed.”
The suspected Islamist terrorist was shot dead after killing four people and injuring 40 more in the car and knife attack. Several people among the 40 injured have serious injuries.