People urged to return to work as London ‘open for business’

POLICE and business leaders have urged people to return to normal working in London today, insisting the city is “open for business”.

Businesses are anxious to prevent any more damage being caused to the country’s economy, while police want the public to show that they will not be cowed by terrorism.

Andy Trotter, deputy chief constable of British Transport Police, said last night London is open for business today. We are encouraging everyone to get back to work and to get back into the capital.

“The emergency services, the police and the security services are all working together to keep London safe. We have had success in the past in defeating terrorists and we will defeat these terrorists.”

Tens of thousands of workers left London offices early after the Tube and bus explosions on Thursday and many took the day off on Friday because of continued travel disruption and security fears. But companies are keen to get back to business as usual and expect all their staff not to take any more time off.

Dozens of schools in Westminster that closed in the aftermath of the bombings are also due to reopen today, said a Westminster Council spokesperson. Education authorities and social services were teaming up to give support to children and teachers, she said.

London Underground has asked commuters to make sure they did not leave bags or other possessions on Tube trains unattended in a bid to avert security alerts.

Some stations were closed on Friday causing further disruption because of alerts sparked by unattended bags. Most Tube services have returned to normal although the section of the Piccadilly Line affected by the King’s Cross explosion will remain closed.

A spokesman for the London Chamber of Commerce said: “It is very important that London hits the ground running tomorrow.

It is in the interests of the economy of London and the UK as well as workers that the capital works normally.” Chamber officials admitted that many people were not in work on Friday but said there was every reason to believe that would change today.