Counter-terror police are investigating an incident in Derby city centre after seven people were injured when a car ploughed into a crowd last night.
The incident involving a black Suzuki Swift happened at around 9.30pm in the Friar Gate area of Derby.
Seven people were treated at the scene by ambulance crews and rushed to Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
A 36-year-old man, originally from India, was found a short time later and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving. He remains in police custody.
Officers said they are keeping an open mind about the motives of the attacker, while an investigation has been launched.
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.’
Although counter-terrorism officers are assisting the investigation, this does not mean the incident is being treated as terrorism, Derbyshire Constabulary said.
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.
The scene on Friar Gate, Derby, after multiple pedestrians were struck by a car last night
A police cordon near to the scene in Derby where a number of people were injured yesterday
Forensic investigators at the scene this morning after seven individuals were hurt
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 injured 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.
Mark Lucas, 47, who described seeing people lying on the floor after they were hit by a car
An aerial image of the scene where seven people were injured in Derby after a car hit pedestrians
‘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 intimate 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.’
Flowers left at the scene this morning after it was confirmed seven people were injured
Forensic investigators inspect the scene after the incident in Derby last night
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 suffered a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries, with police confirming no one died.
Catherine Atkinson, Labour MP for Derby North, said she is ‘deeply shocked’ by the news.
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.’
Paramedics in the area last night after a car ploughed into a group of people in Derby
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’.
Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred, who leads policing in the city, 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.
Forensic investigators carrying evidence bags at the scene in Friar Gate
The scene on Friar Gate, Derby, after multiple pedestrians were struck by a car on Saturday night
‘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.’
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.
