Derby ‘attack’ that hurt seven investigated by counter-terror police

Counter-terror police are investigating after a car ploughed into pedestrians in Derby city centre last night.

Seven people were seriously injured after a black Suzuki Swift rammed into people at around 9.30pm in the Friar Gate area of the city.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving.

He was originally from India but has lived in Britain for a number of years, Derbyshire Police said. He remains in police custody.

The force said it was leading the investigation ‘with the support of Counter-Terrorism Policing colleagues’.

While it does not currently believe the incident was terror-related, officers are keeping an ‘open mind about potential motives’.

Eyewitnesses described seeing people on the floor after the incident last night. 

Local resident Mark Lucas, 47, told the Daily Mail: ‘It was carnage. There were people lying injured on the ground with blood pouring from their heads.

‘It was a sight I wish I’d never seen. It was sheer horror.’

Roads nearby have been closed off, covering a large area from Curzon Street to Ford Street, and are expected to remain shut for some time. 

Mr Lucas continued: ‘I live around the corner and by the time I got there the street full of bars, clubs, restaurants and takeaways had been sealed off.

‘There was lots of commotion and I could see some people lying on the ground badly injured.

‘A few had blood pouring from them and others were trying to help. The scenes were chaotic and terrifying.

‘Someone said a man had deliberately driven into a crowd of people. It is shocking but not surprising.

‘This neighbourhood has gone downhill over the past months and there are a lot of migrants living in the area, and animosity.

‘I don’t know who the victims or perpetrator are or whether it was a terror style attack but something horrible like this was going to happen soon. It was only a matter of time.’

Mr Lucas told how the streets were ‘always rammed on Saturday nights’ with locals and students.

He said: ‘Friar Gate has lots of clubs and pubs and people milling around outside eating takeaways. Tensions in the area have been building up.

‘There are many migrants here, so many that even the council are trying to rid of some, and a lot of unrest locally.

‘The war in the Middle East has made people even more anxious and troubled. Derby is an unsafe place.’

Another local resident, a woman aged 50, said: ‘Sadly the city, this area in particular, is full of migrants and drug addicts.

‘Whenever you walk around you feel intimidated, threatened and harassed.’

The woman, who declined to be named, said: ‘It’s a horrible place to live now and I can’t wait to move away.

‘People walk around in a zombie like state, they are very unfriendly and just stare at you.

‘I am not being racist but there are too many migrants living here who don’t integrate and it has divided the city.

‘The incident that happened is shocking and scary. I didn’t see it but I heard all the emergency services as I live up the road.’

Local resident Kate Lowe, who only heard about the incident this morning, described it as a ‘massive shock’. 

‘As a person who has lived in Derby for years, it’s a massive shock… I just don’t know why anyone would want to do that,’ she said. 

A churchgoer who did not wish to be named said: ‘I think it’s unusual for the city.

‘As a church community meeting here together, this is a real shock. This is not what we expect. We are thinking and praying for everyone impacted.’ 

The seven victims were treated at the scene and taken to hospital, with a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries.

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 victims were ‘simply enjoying a night out’ at the time of the attack.

The force believes it was an isolated incident, and there is no wider risk to the public.

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.’

Catherine Atkinson, Labour MP for Derby North, said she was ‘deeply shocked’ by the incident.

In a statement shared online, she added: ‘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.’ 

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.’

Baggy Shanker, the MP for Derby South, said his thoughts are with ‘everyone who has been affected and with their loved ones’.

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.