THE threat of a terrorist attack is looming over London and the powers that be are urging us to be vigilant yet calm.

This is all well and good but is the capital sufficiently equipped to prevent an attack or deal with the aftermath of one? Richmond and Twickenham Times reporter Sarah Woods took to the streets to find out what the residents of Kew think.

Mr Watson, who works in Kew, and his wife; said: "I don't think London is equipped to deal with it. I think it is inevitable there will be an attack in London but only in certain areas, it won't be widespread."

Stephanie Harding, who works in Kew, and Tess Mapplebeck, said: "My parents are hoping there won't be but I think it is possible it will happen. I don't really know if they're equipped to deal with it. But how do you prepare for that sort of thing. It is something you don't want to happen so you don't want to jinx it by preparing for it."

Evelyn Nugent of North Road, said: "I think there will be one. I have no idea if we are equipped for it but I was saying this morning if it happened on the underground it will be curtains.

"I said to my daughter not to go into town. If it does happen it is going to affect everyone."

Dr Lucy Slater from Bushwood Road said: "London is such a big place which means it is a soft target. So if someone was going to attack it wouldn't be difficult for them. You can't police everywhere, if it happened on the underground we couldn't cope with it."

Chris Rigby of Clarence Road with son Dennis said; "It is possible but not inevitable. I doubt we are equipped for it. We are more vulnerable and I'm not sure we could prevent it."