PM says van incident in London’s Finsbury Park ‘potential terror attack’

One man has died after a van hit 11 worshippers leaving a Muslim welfare centre in north London.

The Metropolitan Police said eight people have been taken to hospital after the collision in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park.

A further two people were treated at the scene where police arrested a 48-year-old man who had been held by members of the public amid angry scenes.

There are reports that another two people leapt out of the van but escaped, although this has yet to be confirmed by police.

The Counter Terrorism Command Unit is helping the Met Police with their investigation into the incident which witnesses described as a deliberate attack.

Theresa May confirmed that the police were treating it as a potential terrorist attack and said she will chair an emergency response meeting on Monday.

The collision occurred outside Finsbury Park’s Muslim Welfare House, which is nearby the Finsbury Park Mosque.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) general secretary Harun Khan said: "During the night, ordinary British citizens were set upon while they were going about their lives, completing their night worship. It appears from eyewitness accounts that the perpetrator was motivated by Islamophobia.

"Over the past weeks and months, Muslims have endured many incidents of Islamophobia and this is the most violent manifestation to date.

"Given we are approaching the end of the month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid with many Muslims going to local mosques, we expect the authorities to increase security outside mosques as a matter of urgency."

A delivery driver who was on a bike about three cars behind the incident, Mohammad Abdullah, told Sky News he saw the van take a sudden left turn.

"I think he done it on purpose. I was on a ped. He was about three cars in front of me. He came in a bus lane and took a sharp left.

"He went on top of the people. He actually ran them over. It was a white van.

"There was three of them. Two of them ran away. The other was held at the scene until the police came. Some people wanted to beat him up.

"I’ve seen about six or seven people on the floor. Most of them was male. It was exactly the same time as the prayers finished. As soon as it finished, this guy came. I think (the road he took) is a blocked road – It’s not even a through road.

"The other two got away. They must be somewhere around Finsbury Park. They ran away somewhere."

He said the man arrested did not say anything.

"He had a tattoo on his back. He was not ill. He was not drunk. He got arrested by five or six police officers. They took him away. They never dropped him or nothing."

He said in his opinion it was a terrorist attack.

Sky News reporters on the scene say it is tense – with one man shouting at police officers.

He claimed it took them one hour to arrive at the scene while "someone bled to death".

Pictures on social media suggest the collision occurred at the entrance to Whadcoat Street.

London Ambulance Service say they have sent a "number of resources" to the scene.

Dozens of police, fire and ambulance service vehicles have been sent to the area, armed officers are on the scene and a helicopter is overhead.

The Met Police said in a statement: "The driver of the van – a man aged 48 – was found detained by members of public at the scene and then arrested by police in connection with the incident.

"He has been taken to hospital as a precaution, and will be taken into custody once discharged. He will also be subject of a mental health assessment in due course.

"A number police units are at, and managing the cordons around, the crime scene, including local officers and those from neighbouring boroughs – supported by armed officers and the Territorial Support Group.

"The investigation of the incident is being carried out by the Counter Terrorism Command.

"At this early stage of this investigation, no other suspects at the scene have been identified or reported to police, however the investigation continues."

London Ambulance Service Deputy Director of Operations, Kevin Bate said: "We have treated eight patients at the scene and taken them to three London hospitals. A number of patients were also treated at the scene for minor injuries.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by the incident on Seven Sisters Road and their friends and family.

"We were called to the incident at 12:15am (Monday 19 June).

"We sent over 60 medics to the scene, including ambulance crews, advance paramedics and specialist responses teams and an advance trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance.

"The incident is being managed by a team in a dedicated special operations centre.

"We continue to work closely with other members of the emergency services at the scene."

Transport for London says Seven Sisters Road has been closed northbound between Hornsey Road and Rock Street.

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(c) Sky News 2017: PM says van incident in London’s Finsbury Park ‘potential terror attack’