Counter-terrorism officers are assisting a police investigation after a car struck pedestrians in Derby city centre, with one man arrested.
Derbyshire Police said the 36-year-old man, who is originally from India but has lived in Britain for several years, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is in police custody.
Police said that a black Suzuki Swift car hit several people in Fryer Gate at around 9.30 pm on Saturday night.
Derbyshire Police said in a statement on Facebook that seven people were taken to hospital with injuries, some of which were serious but not life-threatening.
The statement said: “Derbyshire detectives are leading the investigation with support from counter terrorism policing colleagues.
“Although counter-terrorism officers are assisting us with those initial investigations, this does not mean that this incident is currently being treated as terrorism.”
Speaking at a media conference, Derby’s area commander, Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred, called it a “terrible incident” which has “shook the city”.
He said officers were on the scene seconds after a car struck the pedestrians.
Police cordon off near the scene of the incident at Friar Gate, Derby. Photo: PA
East Midlands Ambulance Service said it had sent three ambulance cars, seven ambulances and its hazardous area response team to the scene.
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The ambulance service said it transported seven patients between the Royal Derby Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre.
A man who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident told the Derby Telegraph that “there were people on the floor”.
A forensic investigator at the scene. Photo: PA
“It was a very scary experience. We came around the corner and there were just people everywhere,” he said.
“We didn’t realize what had happened and then we slowly realized it was something bad.”
A section of Friar Gate is expected to be closed for some time and people are asked to avoid the area.
Derby South MP Buggy Shankar said his thoughts were “with everyone affected and their loved ones”.
He added: “Thank you to the emergency services for their response. Derbyshire Police have confirmed that a man has been arrested and they do not believe there is any risk to the public.”
