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'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
Sajid Javid, the Communities Secretary, condemned what he said had been an attack on innocent people.
He said he will seek advice from the local community as to what measures the authorities can take to give Muslims across the country "maximum reassurance" that they are being protected.
"The perpetrator of this attack - and those terrible attacks that we saw recently in Manchester and London - their intention is to seek to divide society. My message to them is that they will always, always fail," he said.
"This Government will always take a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime - including anti-Muslim hate crime - wherever we find it.
"I want to reassure both the local Muslim community but also Muslims across the United Kingdom that they will always have the support of this Government in fighting anti-Muslim hate crime."
Imam Qari Asim, a member of the Government's anti-Muslim hatred working group, said: "It's important that we seek out those who incite hatred, of whatever form, to challenge and condemn their vile actions. There can be no tolerance of religious hatred in our country.
"Given that there has been a five-fold increase in anti-Muslim hatred since the London Bridge attack, Muslims are deeply concerned and anxious about growing levels of Islamophobia.
"But we must remain calm and vigilant, and increase security around mosques. We must stand together to drown out extremism and hatred with hope and unity."
She said the attack was "every bit as sicking as those that have come before."
"Today we come together, as we have done before, to condemn this act and to state once again that hatred and evil of this kind will never succeed," Theresa May said.
Officers responded within one minute, she added. Police declared it a terrorist incident within eight minutes.
The driver, a white man, aged 48, was detained by members of the public then arrested by police.
The early assessment by police is that the attacker acted alone.
"Like all terrorism, in whatever form, it shares the same fundamental goal. It seeks to drive us apart and break the precious bonds of solidarity and citizenship that we share in this country. We will not let this happen."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.