Cleveland Police call for vigilance after London mosque terror attack

Cleveland Police bosses are calling for vigilance in the wake of the latest terror attack in London.
The scene near Finsbury Park Mosque this morningThe scene near Finsbury Park Mosque this morning
The scene near Finsbury Park Mosque this morning

One man died after pedestrians were targeted by a man driving a van near Finsbury Park Mosque in north London early today, in what Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said was 'quite clearly an attack on Muslims.'

Witnesses described hearing the man, who was detained by members of the public at the scene, shout: "I'm going to kill Muslims."

Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Adrian RobertsCleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Roberts
Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Roberts
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The suspect, described as a large white man, was arrested by police on suspicion of attempted murder.

The attacker, who is believed to have acted alone, struck as the area was busy with worshippers attending Ramadan night prayers at the mosque.

Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Roberts urged people to be vigilant but to resist efforts to drive communities apart.

"We stand together with our communities following the news of another horrific terrorist incident, which appears to be a deliberate attack on innocent people as they walked home from Finsbury Park Mosque after prayers," he said.

Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Adrian RobertsCleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Roberts
Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Roberts
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We offer our condolences to all those who have been affected by the attack. There will be people across Cleveland who are concerned about the events this morning. Our officers will be providing visible reassurance patrols and we will be engaging with our communities to provide information and support.

"Like the terrorist incidents in London and Manchester, this incident seeks to erode our shared values of tolerance and mutual respect. By supporting each other and standing together, we can ensure that hate does not divide us.

"We continue to urge the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police by calling 0800 789 321 in confidence, or 999 in an emergency.

"We are continuing to monitor any reported incidents of hate crime in Cleveland, and would urge anyone who is a victim of hate crime to come forward. We will thoroughly investigate the incident and do all we can to bring the perpetrator to justice. We will also provide victims with bespoke support.

"We do not tolerate hate crime in any form.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Anyone who wishes to report a hate crime can call us on the non-emergency number 101, 999 in an emergency situation, or through third party reporting such as True Vision or Tell Mama.

"In the highly unlikely event any member of the public finds themselves in the midst of an incident, remember to ‘Run, Hide and Tell’."