The co-ordinated attack on the capital’s transport network on 7th July 2005 claimed the lives of 52 people and injured hundreds more.
Sir Bernard praised the work of Met officers who were among the first to arrive at the scenes of the bombings, saying on that morning “doing their duty meant running towards scenes of horror that were unimaginable, not knowing what would face them when they arrived and doing their absolute very best to help.”
He added: “Their actions, emergency services colleagues and the public were brave, professional and fill me with humility and pride for what they collectively delivered. The hard work continued in the days and weeks that followed.”
“We will never, ever be complacent. Whilst I hope that we will never need to deliver such a response again, if we do we will be ready.”
The Commissioner’s words come as the capital prepares to commemorate the anniversary with a series of public and private events attended by survivors, families of those killed and city and national leaders past and present.
HRH the Duke of York, Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor Boris Johnson, as well as former PM Tony Blair and former Mayor Ken Livingstone, will take part in a national service of remembrance at St Paul’s Cathedral.
In addition, the Mayor, Sir Bernard and Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy will be among the dignitaries to lay wreaths at the 7/7 memorial in Hyde Park.
Mayor Johnson said today’s events would “allow the families and friends of the 52 innocent victims of 7/7 to pay tribute to the memory of their loved ones.”
He added: “On the tenth anniversary of the attacks we honour the victims, we remember the sufferings of their families and we pay tribute to the actions of our emergency services on that appalling day.”
In addition to Sir Peter’s presence at the Hyde Park ceremony, Transport for London will mark the anniversary at 11.30am with a one-minute silence across the London Underground and wider TfL network.
Sir Peter said: “Our thoughts are with the victims, those injured and their families and loved ones at this poignant time. The actions of our staff and contractors and the emergency services that day were nothing short of heroic – going above and beyond the call of duty to help and comfort those affected.
“We will always be proud of how TfL, as well as the Capital as a whole, pulled together and proved its defiance and resilience against terrorism.”
As part of the commemorations, City Hall is hosting a free exhibition of paintings and pastels by Miriam Hyman, one of the fifty-two people killed in the bombings, which will run until 10th July.
