The MP for Hendon Matthew Offord has condemned yesterday’s suspected terrorist attack in Woolwich and said he would be working to reassure people in his constituency.

He said: “The people who live in Hendon are concerned about the impact this terrorist attack will have on the local area.

“I will be spending the next few days with the Muslim and Jewish communities to make sure this doesn’t happen again."

Mr Offord added he was shocked the two men who perpetrated the attack, killing a soldier with a machete in a busy Woolwich street at 2.40pm yesterday, "were not concerned about being caught".

Greater London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore criticised Mr Offord for getting involved, adding “the worst thing he can do is get in the way".

Mr Dismore, who was MP for Hendon during the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks, said: “He should let the police and senior politicians get on with it rather than running about like a headless chicken.

“Politicians should get involved to analyse the situation when the facts are known.”