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.
More flowers have been laid in tribute (TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)
The Secretary of State for Wales said South Wales Police was working with officers from London on the investigation.
Images of the van showed it was rented from Pontyclun Van Hire in Pontyclun, near Cardiff.
MP Alun Cairns said: "I have this morning spoken to the Chief Constable of South Wales Police, Mr Peter Vaughan.
"He has assured me that his team is fully engaged and working in partnership with the London Metropolitan Police as the investigation into the abhorrent attack at Finsbury Park gets under way."
Mr Cairns added that it was "crucial" that the authorities were given time and the space to conduct these important enquires and that his "thoughts and prayers" were with those affected.
Witnesses have told Ben Kentish the attacker tried to flee on foot but ran down a dead-end street, forcing him to run back towards the crowd of people he had just attacked.
He tried to barge his way though but was wrestled to the ground.
The Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, described it as a "hate crime attack".
He told the BBC: "Clearly, from what we’ve seen and what we know already, this is a hate crime attack.
"Absolutely unacceptable in any community and I want to make sure that every community in Britain but particularly right now Britain’s Muslim community feels has all the support that it needs and I want to give them maximum reassurance."
Theresa May is about to give a statement outside 10 Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the Government's emergency committee, Cobra.
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