The mayor of Kingston has expressed his deepest sympathy for those affected by the violent terrorist attack in Paris yesterday.

Gunmen shot dead 12 people and critically injured at least four others at the office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Tuesday morning.

Witnesses claim they heard the men shout in Arabic after the attack.

Mayor Ken Smith said: “Rain drops are cascading down my window here in London today but they are nothing to the teardrops of those who lost loved ones in France yesterday.

“We in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames send our deepest sympathy to all who has been directly affected by this horrible act of mindless terrorism.”

It is believed the attack took place during the magazine's daily editorial meeting.

A police operation is under way after the three gunmen involved escaped by car.