On Saturday night, a car hit pedestrians in Derby, UK, causing injuries to seven people. The police promptly arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. The authorities stated on Sunday that they are investigating the motive behind the incident.
According to Derbyshire police, the incident occurred around 9:30 pm on Saturday night when a black Suzuki Swift car collided with pedestrians on Friar Gate, resulting in seven people sustaining serious injuries, but fortunately not life-threatening. The injured individuals received treatment at the scene before being taken to the hospital.
Shortly after the incident, law enforcement officers intercepted the suspect vehicle and apprehended the driver. The suspect, originally from India but residing in Derby for many years, has been detained on charges of attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm through dangerous driving, intentionally causing serious personal injury, and dangerous driving.
Detectives from Derbyshire police are leading the investigation, with counter-terrorism officers providing assistance. Authorities have stated that this is standard procedure for “such incidents,” and they are maintaining an open-minded approach to all potential motives.
Following the incident, the police cordoned off the entire area with barricades. Currently, the event has not been classified as a terrorist attack.
“While we understand this can be unsettling, we want to assure everyone that we do not believe there is an ongoing threat to public safety,” the authorities mentioned in a statement.
Chief Inspector Emma Aldred described this as a complex investigation, and the police will keep the public updated on any developments.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson informed the BBC that the Home Secretary is closely monitoring the situation.
Despite being a city, Derby exudes a strong community spirit that gives it a town-like feel in many aspects. The area where the car-pedestrian incident occurred on Saturday night is dotted with restaurants and bars, popular among students.