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.
Amina Abdi, 50, who goes to Hornsey mosque but knows lots of people who attend Finsbury Park mosque, told Katie Forster:
"We're all shocked by this. It's confused young men, Islamists, that cause people to do this. But yes, we have been victimised in the press too. It has been treated as if our religion is responsible. We always feel guilty when walking around, as if people suspect us to be terrorists. But really it's young people, spending their days alone.
"We expected some retaliation [for London terror attacks] but we didn't know what it would be.
"I've been in London for 30 years, and it's a very safe city, so I'm really saddened by these recent attacks."
A man arrested after the Finsbury Park attack appeared to blow a kiss at onlookers after being put in a police van following the incident that left one man dead.
Mobile phone footage taken by one of those who crowded round the police van, seems to show the arrested 48-year-old blowing a kiss at the person recording the video.
Other witnesses claimed the suspect was laughing after the attack.
A man who wanted to be identified as Abdulrahman, which is not his real name, said he helped detain the man and told the Press Association: “When he went into the [police] van he made gestures, he was laughing.
"He deliberately did this. He caused this incident."
The Muslim Welfare House praised the bravery of its imam, Mohammed Mahmoud, who helped to calm the situation as members of the public detained the attacker.
A statement posted on its website said the organisation had hosted a Great Get Together event in the memory of murdered MP Jo Cox for all faiths a few days ago and that the Muslim community in the area is "horrified" and "shocked" by Monday's incident.
"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 said.
"We would appeal for calm at this time. It is unhelpful for there to be speculation about the incident. All of our efforts should be towards getting justice for the victims and ensuring our community stays the diverse, tolerant and welcome place we know it to be. We call on all, including the media, to act responsibly at this time.
"We have already met with the police, council and our local MP, Jeremy Corbyn. We would like to thank them for their support.
"Our mosque and welfare centre provides vital support to many people in north London and we will continue to do this despite this incident.
"Muslim Welfare House has always welcomed the whole community. Only a few days ago we hosted a Great Get Together in memory of Jo Cox, attended by people of every faith and background.
"I would like to particularly thank our imam, Mohammed Mahmoud, whose bravery and courage helped calm the immediate situation after the incident and prevented further injuries and potential loss of life."
People are laying flowers at the police cordon near the scene of the attack (TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)
Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, said he was sure the Prime Minister would be "distraught" about the attack.
He told Sky News: "I know she will feel, as I do and as the Home Secretary does, absolutely distraught about the human suffering here.
"The Prime Minister has always, during her time as home secretary and as Prime Minister, put keeping communities safe at the heart of everything she does. I know she will have been talking to the security services, to the police and to others to make sure that every step necessary is taken.
"I'm sure that later today we will hear more from the Prime Minister and Government about the next steps that need to be taken to reassure people that we are keeping them safe and to get to the bottom of this disgusting crime."
Speaking at the scene the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, praised the response by emergency services.
Asked whether he thinks the terrorist attack is being treated as seriously as others, he said: "I'm treating it as seriously as any other terrorist attack.
"As I see it, this is terror on the streets and it is terror of the people on the streets.
"And that's why I'm here today."
"We obviously need efficient and effective policing," Mr Corbyn said, "we obviously need also an attitude in our society of support for each other."
"The only way to deal with this osrt of issue is communities coming together. This is a very multi-faith community. This is a microcosm of a community working together.
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