A man has been arrested after multiple people were hit by a car in a city centre, with some left seriously injured.
The incident involving a black Suzuki Swift happened at around 9.30pm on Saturday in the Friar Gate area of Derby.
Paramedics treated several people at the scene, some for serious injuries, before they were taken to hospital.
Police stopped the car believed to have been involved shortly after. The driver, who is in his 30s, was arrested and taken into custody.
Roads nearby have been closed off, covering a large area from Curzon Street to Ford Street, which is expected to remain shut for some time.
There is not believed to be an ongoing risk to the public.
Derbyshire Police has opened an investigation and is now urging anyone with information to come forward.
Catherine Atkinson, Labour MP for Derby North, has said she is ‘deeply shocked’ by the news of people having been seriously injured in the incident.
She continued in a statement shared online: ‘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.’
A force spokesperson said: ‘A number of people were injured, some of them seriously, and were treated at the scene by ambulance crews before being taken to hospital.
‘Police officers stopped a vehicle believed to have been involved in the incident shortly after it happened.
‘The driver, a man in his 30s, was arrested and is in police custody.
‘Our investigation is in its early stages but we want to hear from anyone who saw a black Suzuki Swift being driven in Derby around the time of the incident.’
They added: ‘Friar Gate is completely closed from the junction with Curzon Street/Cheapside up to Ford Street.
‘The road will be closed for a considerable time so please avoid the area completely.
‘Although we know this will be alarming, we would like to reassure people that we do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public.
‘No further information is available at this stage but we will post an update as soon as we have one.’
Anyone with information can contact Derbyshire Police on their website, via a private message on Facebook or by calling 101, quoting incident 1131 of March 28.
They can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website.
East Midlands Ambulance Service and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service have been contacted for comment.
