It is with sadness that I have to reflect on the tragic events in London just over a week ago, writes DAVID RENARD.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were cruelly murdered, as well as with the injured who I hope make a speedy recovery.

In particular, I would like to add my own tribute to PC Keith Palmer, who paid the ultimate price that any of us can ask of our police officers along with my gratitude to the police for their prompt and effective response.

While this has been a shock to us all, I would like to praise the work of our security and police services, who have done so much to make sure that tragedies like these are so infrequent.

We may never know how many lives they have saved, or how many despicable acts they have prevented, but we should all be grateful for their continued vigilance on our behalf.

However, fighting terrorism is a matter that affects us all; we cannot just leave it to the intelligence agencies.

I recommend that you visit the Home Office webpages “Recognising the terrorist threat” for more information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/recognising-the-terrorist-threat/recognising-the-terrorist-threat and download the citizenAid app for your phone.

We also need to be more aware of our own neighbourhoods and communities. We must be alert to the fact that those seeking to commit such heinous crimes may exploit family relationships or friendships in order to execute their nefarious plans.

I urge people to have the courage to report to the security service if they have suspicions, the number are 0800 111 4645 and 020 7930 9000. There is also the CrimeStoppers line 0800 555 111.

I have already commended the police, but I would also like to praise the members of our own community who, whatever their grievances with the state or religious beliefs, choose paths of peaceful protest and challenge rather than violence.

We are a diverse society here in Swindon and I welcome that variety as it makes us stronger and more enriched.

This is not to say that we will always reach harmonious accord or compromise, but at least we can agree to disagree.

We should always seek to retain mutual respect for those whose opinions differ from our own.

Perhaps it takes a tragedy like the murders in Westminster to make us realise there is more that unites than divides us.