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Finsbury Park attack: one dead in 'potential terrorist attack' near London mosque, PM says – live updates Finsbury Park attack: one dead in 'potential terrorist attack' near London mosque, PM says – live updates
(35 minutes later)
6.43am BST
06:43
My colleague Martin Farrer, a former Finsbury Park local, has written about the neighbourhood.
The district has a rich history, not least in the former Rainbow theatre, which lies on the other side of the road from the Muslim Welfare House. This once legendary rock venue has hosted some of the greatest names in music such as The Who, Pink Floyd, David Bowie (on the Ziggy tour) and Bob Marley .
Read the full story here:
6.38am BST
06:38
Reporter and local James Ball has some thoughts on Finsbury Park itself.
Last thoughts before sleep: Finsbury Park is a genuinely diverse area. Nightclubs and mosques sit within yards of each other.
I live minutes away from where the attack happens. It's generally a safe, nice, place to live. Don't let others tell you otherwise.
(This is a bid to get in before idiots talk about no-go areas or anything like that.)
6.24am BST
06:24
Imam 'protected van driver until police arrived'
Witnesses have told Sky News that an imam from the mosque protected the driver of the van from angry members of the public until the police could arrive.
That account seems to chime with the statement from the Muslim Welfare House that thanks imam Mohammed Mahmoud “whose bravery and courage helped calm the immediate situation after the incident and prevented further injury and loss of life”.
Updated
at 6.34am BST
6.17am BST
06:17
Muslim Welfare House calls for calm
The attack took place outside the Muslim Welfare House on Seven Sisters Road. The Islamic centre and mosque has released a statement, appealing for calm.
“We have worked very hard over decades to build a peaceful and tolerant community here in Finsbury Park and we totally condemn any act of hate that tries to drive our wonderful community apart,” it reads.
I'm live from 6am at #FinsburyPark for @GMB as one man dies, many injured, as van drives into crowd of Muslims by 'a potential terrorist' pic.twitter.com/kGTaY3h1Gb
6.11am BST6.11am BST
06:1106:11
Witness: van was travelling at 50mphWitness: van was travelling at 50mph
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
Witnesses said the van mounted the pavement and mowed people down deliberately, travelling at 50mph. Boubou Sougou, 23, said: “It was deliberate, it was not an accident.”Witnesses said the van mounted the pavement and mowed people down deliberately, travelling at 50mph. Boubou Sougou, 23, said: “It was deliberate, it was not an accident.”
6.00am BST6.00am BST
06:0006:00
The New York Police Department has deployed officers to mosques in New York following the attack in Finsbury Park.The New York Police Department has deployed officers to mosques in New York following the attack in Finsbury Park.
NYPD announces they will send officers to mosques in NYC area after tonight's incident in North London's #FinsburyPark. pic.twitter.com/ZKmmlaQkxONYPD announces they will send officers to mosques in NYC area after tonight's incident in North London's #FinsburyPark. pic.twitter.com/ZKmmlaQkxO
5.55am BST5.55am BST
05:5505:55
Diane Abbott calls for review of mosque securityDiane Abbott calls for review of mosque security
Terror attack outside #FinsburyPark mosque. Police must urgently review security for all mosques #StandTogetherTerror attack outside #FinsburyPark mosque. Police must urgently review security for all mosques #StandTogether
5.50am BST5.50am BST
05:5005:50
Amber Rudd: 'We must all continue to stand together'Amber Rudd: 'We must all continue to stand together'
Home secretary Amber Rudd has given the following statement in reaction to the attack at Finsbury Park.Home secretary Amber Rudd has given the following statement in reaction to the attack at Finsbury Park.
My thoughts are with all those affected by the appalling incident at Finsbury Park. I am in contact with the Metropolitan Police who have confirmed it is being investigated by their Counter Terrorism Command. Yesterday, like so many others around the country, I took part in the Great Get Together to celebrate the values of Jo Cox. It was powerful and moving to see the community come together in a show of solidarity. We must all continue to stand together, resolute, against all those who try to divide us and spread hate and fear.”My thoughts are with all those affected by the appalling incident at Finsbury Park. I am in contact with the Metropolitan Police who have confirmed it is being investigated by their Counter Terrorism Command. Yesterday, like so many others around the country, I took part in the Great Get Together to celebrate the values of Jo Cox. It was powerful and moving to see the community come together in a show of solidarity. We must all continue to stand together, resolute, against all those who try to divide us and spread hate and fear.”
5.46am BST5.46am BST
05:4605:46
Sadiq Khan condemns 'horrific terrorist attack'Sadiq Khan condemns 'horrific terrorist attack'
The mayor of London has released a statement on Facebook, saying the attack was deliberate and targeted “innocent Londoners, many of whom were finishing prayers during the holy month of Ramadan”.The mayor of London has released a statement on Facebook, saying the attack was deliberate and targeted “innocent Londoners, many of whom were finishing prayers during the holy month of Ramadan”.
“While this appears to be an attack on a particular community, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect,” he said.“While this appears to be an attack on a particular community, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect,” he said.
5.35am BST5.35am BST
05:3505:35
At least two witnesses told Sky News that there were three men in the van, but the Met Police statement seems to directly contradict that, saying no other suspects had been identified or reported to police.At least two witnesses told Sky News that there were three men in the van, but the Met Police statement seems to directly contradict that, saying no other suspects had been identified or reported to police.
5.34am BST
05:34
5.26am BST
05:26
Dawn has broken in London.
Much quieter at this cordon (armed police gone too) – but more of the scene visible in daylight. pic.twitter.com/SyBmiDOFtM
5.26am BST
05:26
The widowed husband of murdered MP Jo Cox has tweeted in the aftermath of the attack, saying that the far right and Islamist terrorists shared an ideology and both must be defeated.
Far right facists&Islamist terrorists are driven by same hatred of difference, same ideology of supremacy&use same tactics.We'll defeat both
When islamist terrorists attack we rightly seek out hate preachers who spur them on. We must do the same to those who peddle Islamophobia
5.15am BST
05:15
PM: police treating incident as 'potential terrorist attack'
Prime minister Theresa May said police are treating the van incident near Finsbury Park “as a potential terrorist attack”, adding: “I will chair an emergency meeting later this morning. All my thoughts are with the victims, their families and the emergency services on the scene.”
5.03am BST
05:03
The London Ambulance Service has given an update:
We have taken 8 patients to hospital following the incident on #SevenSisters Road in #FinsburyPark https://t.co/oL75V7ZUWD pic.twitter.com/KQNcFumxIC
4.54am BST
04:54
One man confirmed to have died, eight people injured
Police have confirmed that one man was pronounced dead at the scene and eight were injured. More than three hours after their first statement, the Metropolitan Police put out its first full update confirming that counter-terrorism police were investigating and that the area had been designated as a crime scene.
The injured have been taken to three separate hospitals; two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
At this stage there are no reports of any persons having suffered any knife injuries. 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.
The statement said no other suspects at the scene have been identified or reported to police. “Due to the nature of this incident extra policing resources have been deployed in order to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan,” it said.
Any witnesses, or anyone with any information, can contact police via 101, or via Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Updated
at 5.09am BST
4.45am BST
04:45
Muslim Council of Britain: perpetrator was 'motivated by Islamophobia'
A statement from the Muslim Council of Britain has condemned the incident, noting it is “widely being described as a terror attack”. The statement said witness accounts described the van “intentionally ploughed into a group of worshippers who were already tending to someone who had been taken ill”. Harun Khan, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain said:
During the night, ordinary British citizens were set upon while they were going about their lives, completing their night worship. My prayers are with the victims and their families. It appears from eye witness 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.Muslim communities have been calling for increased action to tackle the growth in hate crime for many years and transformative action must now be taken to tackle not only this incident but the hugely worrying growth in Islamophobia.Many will feel terrorised, no doubt be angry and saddened by what has taken place tonight. We urge calm as the investigation establishes the full facts, and in these last days of Ramadan, pray for those affected and for justice.”
Police are yet to say whether the event in Finsbury Park constitutes a terrorist attack.
4.36am BST
04:36
What we know so far
A van has driven into a crowd of worshippers after they left a mosque in north London in what police described as a “major incident”.
Police have confirmed a number of casualties after the collision which happened at about 12.20am on Monday. Witnesses reported seeing up to 10 injured.
Police have not said whether this was a deliberate attack or a terrorist attack but counter-terrorism police are at the scene and witnesses have described the van swerving towards a group of people.
The white van hit people outside the Muslim Welfare House on Seven Sisters Road. Two witnesses reported seeing three people leave the van.
London Ambulance Service sent a number of crews to the scene including specialist paramedics.
The Muslim Council of Great Britain said the van had run over worshippers.
The streets were crowded because it was shortly after prayers had finished at nearby Finsbury Park mosque
One man was arrested at the scene by the police.
4.22am BST
04:22
While we await an update from the police, who have not yet confirmed if this was a deliberate attack or terrorist incident, our reporters are talking to people on the scene, many of whom have described the van purposefully driving into a group who had left the mosque.
Abdikadir Warfa has told Guardian crime correspondent Vikram Dodd that he and and others caught hold of the van driver, who threw kicks and punches as he tried to escape. Mr Warfa said:
He tried to run away he tried to escape. Some people were hitting him he was fighting to run away. I heard the sound of the van crashing. One person was under the van, some were run over.
He said some of the people hit by the van were wearing Islamic clothing.
4.12am BST
04:12
Finsbury Park – a typically diverse London suburb
Martin Farrer
Finsbury Park is a typically diverse London suburb situated a few kilometres north of the city centre. It’s home to a wide variety of nationalities and although it is undergoing a lot of change through gentrification (a theatre has opened in recent years, Pret a Manger is on the way etc), it retains a strong working-class flavour and is characterised by people from all walks of life.
It’s perhaps best known as the home of Arsenal football club. On match days, the streets – and pubs – are surrendered to thousands of fans who are disgorged from the Tube and railway station to walk down the road to the Emirates stadium.
It’s also the centre of London’s Algerian population, with the dense pocket of coffee shops and restaurants at the top of Blackstock Road known as “Little Algiers”, and before that was a popular landing point for Irish immigrants.
Finsbury Park is also known as home to the mosque linked to the radical cleric Abu Hamza. The mosque’s current leaders have sought to purge its extremist past and have it removed from black lists.
Updated
at 5.10am BST