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Finsbury Park terror attack: imam protected attacker from a mob – latest updates Finsbury Park terror attack: imam protected suspected attacker from a crowd – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
4.36pm BST
16:36
Arrested man now held on terror offences
The man arrested last night over the Finsbury Park attack is now being held on suspicion of terror offences, Scotland Yard says.
The 47-year-old was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was subsequently further arrested for the “commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism including murder and attempted murder”.
Counter-terror police are appealing for witnesses following the terror attack on Seven Sisters Road, in north London.
Police said they were called at 00.21 and declared they were treating the incident as a terror attack within eight minutes. They said eight people were injured and that the attack happened while a man was receiving first aid after being taken ill nearby. That man subsequently died and police said they were “continuing to establish whether there is any link between his death and the attack”.
Police said they believe the “suspect acted alone but we are of course investigating all the circumstances leading up to the attack”. Officers added that searches are being carried out at a residential address in the Cardiff area. The Met’s deputy assistant commissioner, Neil Basu, said:
Our thoughts are with all those affected by the incident at Seven Sisters Road and their families, friends and communities.
This is being treated as a terrorist incident and is being investigated by the Counter Terrorism Command. The investigation is ongoing and we are working fast to know the full details of how and why this took place.
All the victims were from the Muslim community and we will be deploying extra police patrols to reassure the public, especially those observing Ramadan.
We are working hard to protect all communities and the public will see additional officers patrolling across the city and at Muslim places of worship. This was an attack on London and all Londoners. We should all stand together against extremists whatever their cause.
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16:29
Weyman Bennett, head of Unite Against Fascism, said Finsbury Park Mosque has been threatened or attacked at least twice in recent years.
“It was one of the mosques to be sent white powder last year, and two years ago it was targeted with a makeshift petrol bomb. There’s been a consistent attempt by people to attack the mosque. I think it’s a consequence of increasing Islamophobia.”
There had been a little-noticed spike in attacks on the Muslim community recently, he said, partly due to how reporting of recent terror attacks had been “framed around the narrative of Islam”.
He added: “I also think Theresa May’s language after the last London attacks was inflammatory... she said there were safe spaces that we tolerate and specifically she talked about tearing up the human rights act as if they (the terrorists) were being protected by the Muslim community.” This rhetoric had “poisoned” the election, he said.
4.11pm BST
16:11
Shaukat Warraich from Faith Associates, which trains mosques in charity governance and security plans has been speaking to my colleague Damien Gayle outside the Finsbury Park mosque about the growing threat faced by muslim communities in the UK. Warraich said:
We have spoken to people that have left the far-right and the far-right have openly told us that they see mosques as easy targets. They have been surveilling mosques, watching them, seeing what time they pray. Especially if there is a pub across the road, they have been watching them.
Mosques are easy targets because they are not protected. There is no security, like Jewish people who have a security guards on the door; mosques are very open buildings.
We have met people who said ‘when we were in the far-right we were looking for ways to attack mosques.’
Warraich said that many Islamophobic incidents went unreported.
People are saying it’s a small issue, let’s not make a big deal about it. People will throw a piece of bacon over the fence ... We are advising that everything that happens you must report it, it’s important that local police build up a picture.
"Mosques are easy targets because they're not protected." Shaukat Warraich of @FaithAssociates, which advises mosques on security pic.twitter.com/cIDtNEDiGJ
4.05pm BST4.05pm BST
16:0516:05
The faiths forum for London is organising a vigil at the Finsbury Park mosque this evening.The faiths forum for London is organising a vigil at the Finsbury Park mosque this evening.
#finsburypark for those wanting to stand in solidarity @LondonFaiths @hopenothate pic.twitter.com/VxfSQBLXi2#finsburypark for those wanting to stand in solidarity @LondonFaiths @hopenothate pic.twitter.com/VxfSQBLXi2
3.51pm BST3.51pm BST
15:5115:51
The National Front in Wales has denied any connection with the Finsbury Park suspected attacker, after it emerged the suspect hired the van used in the attack from Pontyclun in south Wales, according to my colleague Robert Booth.The National Front in Wales has denied any connection with the Finsbury Park suspected attacker, after it emerged the suspect hired the van used in the attack from Pontyclun in south Wales, according to my colleague Robert Booth.
In response to an inquiry from the Guardian, the Welsh regional organiser of the far-right party, Adam Lloyd, described him as a “lunatic” but said: “The man in question is not known to any of us here in South Wales National Front, and to our knowledge is not and never has been a member.”In response to an inquiry from the Guardian, the Welsh regional organiser of the far-right party, Adam Lloyd, described him as a “lunatic” but said: “The man in question is not known to any of us here in South Wales National Front, and to our knowledge is not and never has been a member.”
However, Lloyd added: “Although we will never condone or accept this kind of violent attacks here in SWNF, anyone with a right mind can see this is not a terrorist attack but a revenge attack.However, Lloyd added: “Although we will never condone or accept this kind of violent attacks here in SWNF, anyone with a right mind can see this is not a terrorist attack but a revenge attack.
“Incidents like this are only going to increase as two different cultures clash thanks to the failed multicultural and multiracial experiment forced on us by successive corrupt governments.”“Incidents like this are only going to increase as two different cultures clash thanks to the failed multicultural and multiracial experiment forced on us by successive corrupt governments.”
Lloyd stood for election to Bridgend council in May, but came last with only 21 votes.Lloyd stood for election to Bridgend council in May, but came last with only 21 votes.
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3.35pm BST3.35pm BST
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My colleague Vikram Dodd has just sent news of a bomb scare at another mosque in London.My colleague Vikram Dodd has just sent news of a bomb scare at another mosque in London.
East London mosque has been evacuated after a bomb scare. They have just been given the all clear after police investigated. It shows the level of anxiety in British Muslim communities after the Finsbury Park attack.East London mosque has been evacuated after a bomb scare. They have just been given the all clear after police investigated. It shows the level of anxiety in British Muslim communities after the Finsbury Park attack.
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3.21pm BST3.21pm BST
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What we know so farWhat we know so far
Police have confirmed they are investigating a terror attack in London after a van ploughed into people near a north London mosque, leaving one person dead and injuring eight others. A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and two of those hit by the van were said to be “very seriously injured”.Police have confirmed they are investigating a terror attack in London after a van ploughed into people near a north London mosque, leaving one person dead and injuring eight others. A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and two of those hit by the van were said to be “very seriously injured”.
Witnesses said the driver had shouted: “I want to kill all Muslims” before onlookers pinned him to the ground. The suspect was protected by a local imam after being pinned down by members of the Muslim community.Witnesses said the driver had shouted: “I want to kill all Muslims” before onlookers pinned him to the ground. The suspect was protected by a local imam after being pinned down by members of the Muslim community.
Imam Mohammed Mahmoud described how he helped protect the attacker from an angry mob. “Some tried to hit him, either kicks or punches. By God’s grace we manage to surround him and to protect him from any harm,” he said.Imam Mohammed Mahmoud described how he helped protect the attacker from an angry mob. “Some tried to hit him, either kicks or punches. By God’s grace we manage to surround him and to protect him from any harm,” he said.
Theresa May has vowed that “hatred and evil” of the kind seen in the attack on a north London mosque will never succeed. May said that the attack on Muslims was “every bit as insidious and destructive to our values and our way of life” as the recent string of terror attacks apparently motivated by Islamist extremism.Theresa May has vowed that “hatred and evil” of the kind seen in the attack on a north London mosque will never succeed. May said that the attack on Muslims was “every bit as insidious and destructive to our values and our way of life” as the recent string of terror attacks apparently motivated by Islamist extremism.
Later the prime minister attended an interfaith meeting at Finsbury Park mosque. She was heckled as she left.Later the prime minister attended an interfaith meeting at Finsbury Park mosque. She was heckled as she left.
The Labour leader and local MP, Jeremy Corbyn, spent much of the early morning at Muslim Welfare House, where the attack took place. He said: “I see it this is a terror on the streets … in the communities … We have to all reach out and feel their pain and their stress.”The Labour leader and local MP, Jeremy Corbyn, spent much of the early morning at Muslim Welfare House, where the attack took place. He said: “I see it this is a terror on the streets … in the communities … We have to all reach out and feel their pain and their stress.”
Police said it was too early to state if the man who died at the scene was killed in the attack. He was being helped when the van ploughed into pedestrians, and had regained consciousness when the van hit, according Imam Mahmoud. All of the victims of the attack, including two who are in a critical condition, are from the Muslim community.Police said it was too early to state if the man who died at the scene was killed in the attack. He was being helped when the van ploughed into pedestrians, and had regained consciousness when the van hit, according Imam Mahmoud. All of the victims of the attack, including two who are in a critical condition, are from the Muslim community.
The Met commissioner Cressida Dick has promised extra protection for Muslim communities in the coming days. She said: “People in Muslim communities attending prayers will see their police protecting them in the coming days and nights.”The Met commissioner Cressida Dick has promised extra protection for Muslim communities in the coming days. She said: “People in Muslim communities attending prayers will see their police protecting them in the coming days and nights.”
The suspected attacker, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, was not known to the the authorities, according to the security minister, Ben Wallace. The van involved in the attack is marked with the livery of the hire company, which is based on an industrial estate close to the M4 12 miles west of Cardiff.The suspected attacker, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, was not known to the the authorities, according to the security minister, Ben Wallace. The van involved in the attack is marked with the livery of the hire company, which is based on an industrial estate close to the M4 12 miles west of Cardiff.
White supremacists have celebrated the attack, according to the US extremist monitoring group Site. It also said pro-Islamic State channels were using reports of the incident to incite Muslims.White supremacists have celebrated the attack, according to the US extremist monitoring group Site. It also said pro-Islamic State channels were using reports of the incident to incite Muslims.
Muslim leaders have reacted with shock, condemnation and calls for security at mosques to be stepped up. Many also said the backdrop of the attack was rising Islamophobia. Support also came from Christian, Jewish and Sikh leaders.Muslim leaders have reacted with shock, condemnation and calls for security at mosques to be stepped up. Many also said the backdrop of the attack was rising Islamophobia. Support also came from Christian, Jewish and Sikh leaders.
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15:0915:09
Damien GayleDamien Gayle
Jeremy Corbyn has made his way upstairs to the Finsbury Park mosque where he was due to attend prayers. Greeting a religious leader on the way, he said: “We are the voice of love. We are one love.”Jeremy Corbyn has made his way upstairs to the Finsbury Park mosque where he was due to attend prayers. Greeting a religious leader on the way, he said: “We are the voice of love. We are one love.”
"We are the voice of love; one love." @jeremycorbyn at #FinsburyPark mosque after the #FinsburyParkTerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/27WEAo7yRB"We are the voice of love; one love." @jeremycorbyn at #FinsburyPark mosque after the #FinsburyParkTerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/27WEAo7yRB
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Imam Mahmoud added the man who was killed in the attack had regained consciousness before the van struck.Imam Mahmoud added the man who was killed in the attack had regained consciousness before the van struck.
He said:He said:
I had just finished leading prayer and around five minutes after we finished prayers, a brother came in quite panicked and said that somebody had run over a group of people and tried to kill them.I had just finished leading prayer and around five minutes after we finished prayers, a brother came in quite panicked and said that somebody had run over a group of people and tried to kill them.
We found around 15 to 20 people on the scene attending to the injured and administrating CPR on the brother who is now deceased. As far as I know the deceased collapsed and then people came to tend to him. They bought him a chair to sit down. He regained consciousness and as he regained consciousness the van drove perpendicular to Seven Sisters Road. It wasn’t that [the van] mounted the curb by accident, it was deliberate. He drove at 90 degree angle. It was enough to make people fly off to the side and he dragged two people underneath him. One of whom we are worried that he may be paralysed for life, because he couldn’t move his arms and legs and said he couldn’t feel them.We found around 15 to 20 people on the scene attending to the injured and administrating CPR on the brother who is now deceased. As far as I know the deceased collapsed and then people came to tend to him. They bought him a chair to sit down. He regained consciousness and as he regained consciousness the van drove perpendicular to Seven Sisters Road. It wasn’t that [the van] mounted the curb by accident, it was deliberate. He drove at 90 degree angle. It was enough to make people fly off to the side and he dragged two people underneath him. One of whom we are worried that he may be paralysed for life, because he couldn’t move his arms and legs and said he couldn’t feel them.
He added: “This community of ours is a calm community, not known for their violence. Our mosques are incredibly peaceful. I can assure you we will do our utmost to calm down ill intentions.”He added: “This community of ours is a calm community, not known for their violence. Our mosques are incredibly peaceful. I can assure you we will do our utmost to calm down ill intentions.”
2.50pm BST2.50pm BST
14:5014:50
Imam 'protected attacker from mob'Imam 'protected attacker from mob'
Imam Mohammed Mahmoud has described how he protected the attacker from an angry mob, after he was pinned down at the scene.Imam Mohammed Mahmoud has described how he protected the attacker from an angry mob, after he was pinned down at the scene.
Speaking to reporters he said:Speaking to reporters he said:
We arrived at the scene within minutes and we found the assailant on the floor. He had been restrained by around three people. We found a group of people quickly started to collect around the assailant. And some tried to hit him, either kicks or punches. By God’s grace we manage to surround him and to protect him from any harm. We stopped all forms of attack and abuse towards him that were coming from every angle.We arrived at the scene within minutes and we found the assailant on the floor. He had been restrained by around three people. We found a group of people quickly started to collect around the assailant. And some tried to hit him, either kicks or punches. By God’s grace we manage to surround him and to protect him from any harm. We stopped all forms of attack and abuse towards him that were coming from every angle.
A police van drove past so we flagged them down we told them the situation. There’s a man he’s restrained. He mowed down a group of people and there’s a mob attempting to hurt him.A police van drove past so we flagged them down we told them the situation. There’s a man he’s restrained. He mowed down a group of people and there’s a mob attempting to hurt him.
Mahmoud, who is imam at the Muslim Welfare Centre, said the attacker was unharmed by the crowd. He added: “We pushed the people back. He didn’t say a word. It wasn’t me alone. There was a group of brothers.Mahmoud, who is imam at the Muslim Welfare Centre, said the attacker was unharmed by the crowd. He added: “We pushed the people back. He didn’t say a word. It wasn’t me alone. There was a group of brothers.
“He seemed calmed. I just heard he said ‘I did my bit’. It is a tragic and barbaric terrorist attack.”“He seemed calmed. I just heard he said ‘I did my bit’. It is a tragic and barbaric terrorist attack.”
UpdatedUpdated
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May heckled as she left mosqueMay heckled as she left mosque
As Theresa May left the Finsbury Park mosque she was heckled by a man standing among the media scrum who shouted: “Mrs May, how can you be so quick today?”As Theresa May left the Finsbury Park mosque she was heckled by a man standing among the media scrum who shouted: “Mrs May, how can you be so quick today?”
He added: “Mrs May, have you had a faster taxi?” in reference to her perceived slowness to meet the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire last week.He added: “Mrs May, have you had a faster taxi?” in reference to her perceived slowness to meet the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire last week.
A small crowd of protesters from Islington Stand Up To Racism alsochanted at her from over the road.A small crowd of protesters from Islington Stand Up To Racism alsochanted at her from over the road.
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Met pledges extra police protection for Muslim communitiesMet pledges extra police protection for Muslim communities
The Met commissioner Cressida Dick has promised extra protection for Muslim communities in the coming days.The Met commissioner Cressida Dick has promised extra protection for Muslim communities in the coming days.
Speaking at the scene, she said: “This was quite clearly an attack on Muslims who looked like they were probably Muslims and they were coming from a prayer meeting.Speaking at the scene, she said: “This was quite clearly an attack on Muslims who looked like they were probably Muslims and they were coming from a prayer meeting.
“We treat this as a terrorist attack. We in the Met are as shocked as anybody in this local community or across the country. We take all kinds of hate crime or violent extremism incredibly serious and wherever we possibly can, prevent attacks. And if we cannot prevent an attack then we will seek, obviously, to bring people to justice.“We treat this as a terrorist attack. We in the Met are as shocked as anybody in this local community or across the country. We take all kinds of hate crime or violent extremism incredibly serious and wherever we possibly can, prevent attacks. And if we cannot prevent an attack then we will seek, obviously, to bring people to justice.
“This is as, her majesty said, a sombre time and last night has added to that sombreness.“This is as, her majesty said, a sombre time and last night has added to that sombreness.
“But in relation to the Met it does nothing other than strengthen our resolve to get our there, prevent attacks and protect our communities. And the people in Muslim communities attending prayers will see their police protecting them in the coming days and nights.”“But in relation to the Met it does nothing other than strengthen our resolve to get our there, prevent attacks and protect our communities. And the people in Muslim communities attending prayers will see their police protecting them in the coming days and nights.”
Dick added:Dick added:
This is a highly integrated, truly diverse and multicultural place. The relationships between the police and community here are very important to us, and are mostly very good indeed.This is a highly integrated, truly diverse and multicultural place. The relationships between the police and community here are very important to us, and are mostly very good indeed.
I’ve just come from a meeting of people of 20 faiths all from the local communities, who are saying, as I say, ‘the people who perpetrate attacks like this think they will not break our society down and cause division between us, and they won’t do that and they won’t win’.I’ve just come from a meeting of people of 20 faiths all from the local communities, who are saying, as I say, ‘the people who perpetrate attacks like this think they will not break our society down and cause division between us, and they won’t do that and they won’t win’.
This is very resilient city and very, very resilient set of communities.This is very resilient city and very, very resilient set of communities.
My police officers responded here within a minute and we had a large presence within 10 minutes. We have also responded to other attacks over the last few weeks and we are still working very hard in relation to the recovery from the horrible events at Grenfell Tower.My police officers responded here within a minute and we had a large presence within 10 minutes. We have also responded to other attacks over the last few weeks and we are still working very hard in relation to the recovery from the horrible events at Grenfell Tower.
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Senior Labour MP Diane Abbott and Met commissioner Cressida Dick were among several prominent figures seen joining an interfaith meeting at Finsbury Park mosque.Senior Labour MP Diane Abbott and Met commissioner Cressida Dick were among several prominent figures seen joining an interfaith meeting at Finsbury Park mosque.
Earlier Theresa May was seen at the meeting with religious leaders (see earlier).Earlier Theresa May was seen at the meeting with religious leaders (see earlier).
Jeremy Corbyn was not visible at the meeting. He may have continued upstairs to join the mosque’s congregation in their afternoon prayer.Jeremy Corbyn was not visible at the meeting. He may have continued upstairs to join the mosque’s congregation in their afternoon prayer.
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13:5413:54
Attacker not known to security servicesAttacker not known to security services
The suspect in the attack was not known to the security services, according to security minister Ben Wallace.The suspect in the attack was not known to the security services, according to security minister Ben Wallace.
“This man was not known to the authorities in the space of extremism or far-right extremism and he clearly took advantage of a simple weapon, a vehicle, to make an attack on people going about their business,” Wallace told Sky News.“This man was not known to the authorities in the space of extremism or far-right extremism and he clearly took advantage of a simple weapon, a vehicle, to make an attack on people going about their business,” Wallace told Sky News.
He added: “There are no ifs no buts, this is a terrorist attack in the same way the bomber of Manchester blew up many people only recently. This is a pure terrorist attack designed to inflict terror and fear and also hurt people in some twisted cause.”He added: “There are no ifs no buts, this is a terrorist attack in the same way the bomber of Manchester blew up many people only recently. This is a pure terrorist attack designed to inflict terror and fear and also hurt people in some twisted cause.”
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Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, has tweeted her “love and prayers” to the victims of the Finsbury Park attack.Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, has tweeted her “love and prayers” to the victims of the Finsbury Park attack.
She added: “We must stand united against hatred and extremism in all its ugly forms.” Nothing yet from her father.She added: “We must stand united against hatred and extremism in all its ugly forms.” Nothing yet from her father.
Sending love and prayers to the victims in #FinsburyPark London. We must stand united against hatred and extremism in all it's ugly forms.Sending love and prayers to the victims in #FinsburyPark London. We must stand united against hatred and extremism in all it's ugly forms.
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Politicians are flocking to Finsbury Park.Politicians are flocking to Finsbury Park.
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