The UK's week in pictures: Liverpool attack, Azeem Rafiq, and RRS Sir David Attenborough

'The National' selects the best pictures from around the UK over the past week

On Monday, people experienced immersive digital installations at 'Illuminate', the annual light art event at Royal William Yard in Plymouth. PA

Forensics officers continued to work outside Liverpool Women's Hospital on Monday, after a fatal explosion in a taxi outside the hospital. One man was killed. Reuters

A cyclist rides among autumn colours in Richmond Park, London, on Tuesday. Reuters

Cricketer Azeem Rafiq fought back tears on Tuesday, while giving evidence to a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee in London. Rafiq laid out a litany of 'inhuman' racial abuse he suffered at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. AFP

Tyler Phillips, of the US, set a new Guinness World Record for 'most consecutive cars jumped over on a pogo stick' in London on Tuesday. Reuters

The 'RRS Sir David Attenborough', the UK's most advanced polar research ship, sailed into Portsmouth harbour on Wednesday to take on fuel before departing the UK for its maiden voyage to Antarctica. PA

A photographer captured this image of a couple getting engaged at dawn on Wednesday morning, as the sun rose over South Shields, on the north-east coast of England. PA

A photo call on Wednesday for the Victoria and Albert Museum's forthcoming exhibition 'Faberge in London: Romance to Revolution'. AP

On Thursday evening, artist Luke Jerram's new 'Floating Earth' was displayed in Wigan, England. The floating Earth will hover over Pennington Flash for 10 days, as part of a celebration of Wigan and Leigh's watercourses. Getty Images

Hollywood star Will Smith took to the stage in London on Thursday evening, for 'WILL: An Evening of Stories with Friends' at The Savoy Theatre. Getty Images

A giant installation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson made from recycled clothing went on display at Manchester Central on Friday, as part of the Manchester Art Fair. The artwork is to serve as a 'wake-up call for the prime minister to tackle textile waste'. PA

This week, the UK terrorist threat level was raised to "severe" after an attempted bomb attack on Liverpool Women's Hospital, cricketer Azeem Rafiq gave evidence of racial abuse he and other players suffered at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, and the RRS Sir David Attenborough arrived in Portsmouth to take on fuel before departing the UK for its maiden voyage to Antarctica.