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, told a media briefing that the suspected driver was arrested on the other side of the city centre seven minutes after the incident.
She said: “He was safely stopped in Station Approach, where the bridge crosses over towards Pride Park.
“This swift action would not have been possible without eyewitnesses who contacted us about the vehicle’s whereabouts as it was driven away from the scene and around the city centre.”
She added that the force believes it is an isolated incident, and there is no wider risk to the public.
Ms Aldred said in a statement issued through the force: “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 was closed until about 3pm on Sunday when the cordon was lifted.
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”.
Shop worker Eren Celebi has described hearing “screaming and shouting” after a car collided with pedestrians.
The 23-year-old who works at FG Express in Friar Gate, told reporters: “I didn’t see it exactly happen. I was serving some customers and I just heard a lot of screaming and shouting outside.”
Mr Celebi said, when he left the shop, he saw people lying on the pavement and main road.
He described watching people “running about” and trying to call an ambulance.
He said that some people went to check on victims, adding: “Some people were running into shops. Some people were just outside running about.”
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.
Detectives are urging anyone that has footage of the incident taking place, or dashcam footage capturing the car before or after, to come forward.
The force said it is thought the suspect drove off along Friar Gate away from the city centre, towards Ashbourne Road, then onto Bridge Street, Lodge Lane towards Five Lamps, Garden Street and Duffield Road before going onto St Alkmund’s Way.
The visibly damaged vehicle was then stopped by police a short time later at Station Approach, on the way over to Pride Park, the force said.
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.
