Finsbury Park attack as it happened: Theresa May booed as she leaves mosque after paying respects to victims
Police: 'London is a city of many faiths and many nationalities. An attack on one community is an attack on all of us'
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One person has died and eight people have been taken to hospital after being hit by a van in a "potential terror attack" near a north London mosque.
The van driver, described by eyewitnesses as a large white man, was detained by members of the public after the attack in Seven Sisters Road at 12.20am on Monday.
One witness described being surrounded by bodies in the wake of the attack outside the Muslim Welfare House, close to Finsbury Park mosque.
Eyewitnesses said the attacker shouted about killing Muslims as he was held by local people.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said it was an attack on common values.
"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 in a statement.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Police have confirmed this is being treated as a potential terrorist attack.
"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."
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "One man was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Officers are in the process of informing next of kin. A post mortem examination will be scheduled due course.
"Eight people injured were taken to three separate hospitals; two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries."
Commenting on reports that the van driver also produced a knife, the statement went on: "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 force said the investigation of the incident is being carried out by the Counter Terrorism Command.
Here's a statement from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick.
“London has woken up to the news of another appalling attack on our city.
“My thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and with all those who were injured.
“My officers were on the scene almost immediately, and other uniformed and specialist officers quickly arrived to support them. They worked quickly with colleagues from the other emergency services to treat the injured.
“I want to thank all those members of the public who assisted police and emergency services in our task.
“There is now an ongoing investigation by our Counter Terrorism Command to establish why this attack was carried out.
“London is a city of many faiths and many nationalities. An attack on one community is an attack on all of us.
“Terrorists will not succeed in their attempts to divide us and make us live in fear.”
“Extra officers are on duty in the area to help reassure the local community. They will be there for as long as they are needed.
“Communities will see additional officers patrolling across the city and at Muslim places of worship. We are working as hard as we can to protect all our communities, and we will not be defeated.”
In a statement posted on its website, the Finsbury Park Mosque said it "condemns in the strongest terms a heinous terrorist attack".
"The van driver deliberately mowed down Muslim men and women leaving late evening prayers from Finsbury Park Mosque and Muslim Welfare House just after midnight," the statement said.
"This is a callous terrorist attack, which coincides with the murdered MP, Jo Cox, anniversary."
The mosque's chairman, Mohammed Kozbar, described the incident as "a cowardly attack which is no different than the attacks in Manchester and London".
"Our community is in shock, our thought and prayer with those who have been affected by this," he said.
The statement added: "Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
"We urge all attending mosques and going about their business to remain vigilant in this difficult time."
Bahga Al-Maleeh, 41, has lived in Finsbury Park for three years. The van struck pedestrians on the street outside her home on Seven Sisters Road.
She told Katie Forster: "I live at number two, and the van was in front of number one. I had come home from the mosque and was eating at home. I heard screaming and shouts and went out.
"I saw lots of people running and going inside. There were many people who had come from the mosque.
"My neighbour was there, calling: 'Help, help, he's down there'. He was under the van - oh my god.
"People were screaming as they didn't know if there was another [attacker]. They [police, ambulance] came and tried to pull the man out.
"His leg was broken, his arm was broken, his head - he was bleeding from his ear. There was a man vomiting, another man with a broken leg, someone behind the car, another one in front. Around six or seven in total.
"Two girls who had seen the van said the way it drove was deliberate. The community in this area are all coming from the mosque at that time, and he meant to get that group. It's so sad."
Here's a better picture of the van used in the attack, which has Pontyclun Van Hire written on it (REUTERS/Neil Hall)A member of staff at Pontyclun Van Hire said the company would not be issuing a statement.
She said: "We are not saying anything, we don't know anything at the moment."
There is lots of fear and anger in the community, Ben Kentish writes.
Eight-year old Abdirahman who lives near the mosque and is here with his mum, Mona, said: "I'm really scared. They keep saying he did it deliberately.
"When I was sleeping I could hear it and I couldn't even sleep. I kept on opening my eyes and I was scared, I thought there was going to be a big lorry crashing into our house."
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