Counter terrorism officers are assisting with the investigation in Derby city centre after seven people suffered serious injuries when a car hit pedestrians, but police are keeping an open mind about potential motives.
A 36-year-old Derby man, who is originally from India but had lived in the UK for a number of years, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm on Saturday and remains in police custody, Derbyshire Police said.
Seven people were treated at the scene and taken to hospital, with a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries, when they were hit by a black Suzuki Swift, the force added.
The suspect was found a short time after the incident and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury through dangerous driving, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and dangerous driving, police said.
The force said the support of counter terrorism officers does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism.
Derbyshire Police said in a statement: “Derbyshire detectives are leading the investigation with the support of Counter Terrorism Policing colleagues, which is common practice for an incident of this nature, and are keeping an open mind about the potential motives.
“Although counter terrorism officers are assisting us with those early investigations, this does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism.”
Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred, who leads policing in Derby, said: “Firstly I would like to send my best wishes to the people who were injured, their friends and families, and to the public who witnessed what will have been a very traumatic thing to see.
“I know this incident will have sent shockwaves through our communities, but I would like to reassure people that we have a dedicated team of detectives working on it.
“Thanks to the fast actions of officers, working on eyewitness information from the public we were able to quickly arrest the suspect in the city just a few minutes after the incident took place.
“I also want to thank the members of the public and staff from local businesses in Friar Gate who helped officers with first aid in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
“We will provide updates to the public as quickly as we can, but sometimes those updates take a bit of time due to the complexity of the incident we are dealing with.
“I’d also like to thank business owners, their staff, and people whose cars are stuck within the cordon for their patience while we continue our work at the scene.”
A section of Friar Gate is expected to be closed for some time and people are asked to avoid the area.
The Home Secretary is being kept updated on the incident.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “My thoughts are with anyone that’s been affected by this, those who’ve been injured or hurt, and their family members at this really difficult time.”
She added: “The police are actively investigating. We don’t believe there is wider cause for the public to be alarmed.
“The police have made an arrest, and the Home Secretary is being kept updated on this.”
Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson said she was “deeply shocked”.
Posting on Facebook, she said: “My thoughts are with those injured and I’m grateful to our emergency services.
“Please follow police advice and avoid the area. Anyone who has information should contact them as soon as possible.”
Baggy Shanker, the MP for Derby South, said his thoughts are with “everyone who has been affected and with their loved ones”.
Local resident Mark Lucas, 47, described seeing people on the floor who appeared to be “seriously hurt” after the incident.
He told the Press Association: “I ended up coming down with my son and I realised it was a big incident – people were over the floor and there were a lot of police and ambulances.
“I was with my son so I quickly sort of got him out the way.”
Mr Lucas described seeing paramedics trying to help two people on the floor who appeared to be “seriously hurt” and “weren’t moving”.
He said Derby is not the type of place where people say “it never happens here”.
The father said he thinks there is “a lot of violence at the moment” in the area.
Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation should contact the force online or by calling 101, quoting incident 1131 of March 28.
Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or by visiting its website: https://orlo.uk/TP9xX.
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