Police in the capital were on heightened alert as they hunted the attackers, who struck just two weeks after 52 people were killed in similar co-ordinated suicide bombings.

In the hours after the shooting - but before police realised their mistake - Scotland Yard said it had been directly linked to their anti-terrorist operation.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair told a news conference: "As I understand the situation, the man was challenged and refused to obey police instructions." The Yard said his "clothing and behaviour at the station added to their suspicions".

But when it emerged that the 27-year-old Brazilian was not the man they thought he was - and that his death had been a mistake - Sir Ian described it as a tragedy for which the police accepted full responsibility.

Click the links on the map to find out more about the killing of Mr Menezes.