Police on Sunday questioned a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car drove into pedestrians on a street in the central English city of Derby, injuring seven people.
Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said police believe the episode is an “isolated incident” and there is “no wider risk to the public.”
UK counter-terrorism officers are supporting the investigation, though authorities said they were keeping an open mind on the motive. Aldred added that involving counter-terror teams was “common practice for an incident of this nature” and stressed, “I would like to clarify that this does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism.”
Police said the suspect was detained shortly after the incident on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and dangerous driving.
The man in custody is 36, a Derby resident who has lived in the UK “for a number of years,” Aldred said. The Interior Ministry declined to disclose his immigration or citizenship status, saying the police are leading the investigation and ministers are being kept updated.
Seven people sustained “serious but not life-threatening injuries” when the black Suzuki Swift struck several pedestrians in Friar Gate at about 9:30 p.m. local time (2130 GMT) on Saturday.
Ambulance crews treated the injured at the scene before they were taken to Royal Derby Hospital and to Queen’s Medical Center in nearby Nottingham.
Catherine Atkinson, the Member of Parliament for Derby North, said she was “deeply shocked” and added on social media that her thoughts were with those injured and she was grateful to the emergency services.
Edited by: Natalie Muller