Emily Paddison and Karlie Muller have told how London was plunged into shock over the events in and around Westminster on Thursday morning (Australian time), when a lone assailant ploughed a car into pedestrians on a busy bridge, before stabbing a police officer outside the British Houses of Parliament.

The officer and the attacker were amongst those who died. 

Miss Paddison, who has been living and working in London since 2015, praised the quick police response to the incident, which has promoted a sense of safety in the city.

She was among the first Australians to “check in” as safe, via Facebook’s emergency service, to let her family and friends back home know she was alright.

“At the moment I don't think it has really sunk in. I travel across the Westminster Bridge every morning so it is very daunting,” she told The Leader.

“I know many people who work in the area who were on lock-down, but they are out safely. All in all, I think Londoners are very grateful for the quick response and control of the situation from police.

Miss Muller, who lives in Brixton, said communities were shocked by the unfathomable event.

“(It) seems like everyone is shocked at the events and hoping that there are no more fatalities from it,” she said. “It's quite scary, the area is one of the best known areas in the world and very populated by tourists.”

Miss Muller said she believed the attack would not promote fear, but awareness.

“From an Australian perspective, there is a lot of us working and living in London. I think the attack will not affect the way we live but will make us very aware of the danger,” she said.

“Australians all have a close bond over here and we know we have each other and it feels as though London is uniting to show we aren't afraid.”