National Casualty Bureau

A National Casualty Bureau number has been set up for enquiries relating to yesterday's terrorist incidents in Central London. The telephone number is 0870 1566 344. Kent Police is supporting this bureau, and have outlined the questions that will need answering if you need to call the helpline.

If you are concerned about a friend or relative, please make sure you have as much information as possible about the person you are calling about. The call handler will ask a series of questions which will include:

• Full name

• Date of birth

• Nationality

• Full address and telephone numbers

• Detailed reasons why you think that they may be involved

• Next of kin details

• Vehicle details

You can help the casualty bureau by making as many enquiries with family and friends to establish your friends and relatives whereabouts before calling.

If you are calling to cancel someone whom was reported as missing the call handler will require the following details:

• Your full name and address

• The full name, date of birth and address of the missing person

• The reason why the person is no longer considered missing

• Where the person was located and whether or not they were involved in the incident

The casualty bureau will call you as soon as they have information to give. This may take time and your patience is appreciated at this difficult time. Please note that the above number should not be used for general enquiries.

Commenting on the attacks on the tube network and a bus in London, Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

"Everybody's thoughts must be with those who have died or been injured and their families and friends. I want to pay tribute to the emergency services for their swift response. What has happened is appalling and those who carried out these attacks must be brought to justice.

"These bombs have exploded as world leaders meet at Gleneagles. The moral contrast between those who seek to disrupt and destroy and those who are trying to build for the future could not be more stark. The terrorists must not prevail."