Counter-terrorism officers are investigating after a car crashed into pedestrians in Derby city centre last night. At least seven people were wounded in Friar Gate – a popular nightlife spot in the city – at around 9.30 p.m. Police officers were called to the scene within seconds of the attack and stopped the car, a black Suzuki Swift, seven minutes later.
A 36-year-old man, who is originally from India but has lived in Britain for a number of years, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. This afternoon, Derbyshire Police chief Emma Aldred said the suspect remained in custody but could not give any further details about him.
Police said counter-terrorism officers were assisting the investigation but that this ‘does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism’. Chief Superintendent Aldred said police believe this is an ‘isolated incident’ that poses ‘no wider threat to the public’. She said the victims were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries but acknowledged that the impact of the incident ‘is just beginning to be felt’.
She added: ‘While words cannot change the devastating events of last night, I know that I am holding them in my thoughts, as are my colleagues across the force.
‘I want to thank all those who responded so quickly to last night’s events – in particular the members of the public who came to the aid of those injured and helped provide first aid.’
Blake Pierce, a 21-year-old who lives in the city, was one bystander in the area last night. He told Metro he was walking to a pub with friends when he heard screaming:‘There were people spread out across the road and the adjacent pathway that led down. We weren’t sure what to think and just froze. I could count about six people sprawled across the area.
‘I’ve always found Derby to be a good night out, nothing really happens here from what I’ve experienced. It was a real shock to see something so graphic right in front of you.’
Another witness told Derbyshire Live: ‘It was utterly horrific. People were lying on the pavement covered in blood and on the road.”
Catherine Atkinson, the Labour MP for Derby North, said she had family in the area last night. She told the BBC: ‘Like many I remain really shocked. You don’t expect this to happen in our city.
‘While obviously it’s very quiet this morning, last night when we would have had so many students who would have broken up for Easter, it would have been a really busy time.’
This afternoon, Friar Gate was virtually empty as forensic teams cordoned off the area to carry out searches. Several bars and businesses on the street remain closed, including O’Dwyers Bar which posted on social media: ‘No one should ever have to experience something like this on a night out in our city. Derby is a community, and today we stand together.’
Derby County Football Club also posted that it was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the incident. The University of Derby said it ‘was not aware that any of our students or staff were involved’ but has contacted them to offer support.
The Home Secretary is being kept updated on the situation. Derbyshire Police has appealed for witnesses or anyone with relevant information to get in touch here.
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