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'

Finsbury Park attack - what we know so far

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."

An armed police officer mans a cordon on the Seven Sisters Road at Finsbury Park in north London, where one person has been arrested after a vehicle struck pedestrians (PA Wire/PA Images) (PA)

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."

Police man a cordon at the scene in the Finsbury Park area of north London (Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty)

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.

Key Points

• Man killed after van crashes into worshippers leaving Finsbury Park mosque
• Attacker shouted 'I'm going to kill all Muslims' 
• Security at mosques will be reviewed, Theresa May says
• Imam 'protected van driver' from angry public after crash
• Suspect appears to blow kiss at crowd as he is arrested
• Widower of murdered MP Jo Cox argues all extremists deserve same treatment
• Everything we know so far

[19 June 2017 15:42 · Samuel Osborne]

[19 June 2017 15:47 · Samuel Osborne]

[19 June 2017 15:53 · Samuel Osborne]

[19 June 2017 15:53 · Samuel Osborne]

[19 June 2017 15:53 · Samuel Osborne]

[19 June 2017 15:55 · Samuel Osborne]

That's it for our live coverage today, thank you for following along.

Follow The Independent for more on the latest terror attack to strike the streets of London.