Police Extend Questioning Time for Derby Car Attack Suspect
Derbyshire Police have been granted an extension to question a 36-year-old man arrested in connection with a serious car incident in Derby city centre. The suspect, who remains in custody, was detained on suspicion of attempted murder and other serious driving offences after allegedly striking pedestrians with a vehicle on Saturday evening.
Details of the Incident and Injuries
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 PM on Friar Gate, where a black Suzuki Swift hit seven individuals—four men and three women aged between 36 and 52. All victims sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals. As of Monday, three of those injured have been discharged, while the others continue to receive medical care.
Forensic teams and police officers were deployed to the scene, with evidence including shoes and blankets collected from the area. A police cordon was established near Friar Gate as part of the ongoing investigation.
Arrest and Investigation Progress
The suspect, who lives in Derby and is originally from India, was arrested just seven minutes after the incident in Station Approach, on the opposite side of the city centre. Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred, Derby's police lead, confirmed that the vehicle was severely damaged and that the arrest was made safely near Pride Park, home to Derby County FC.
In a statement, Aldred expressed gratitude to eyewitnesses for their assistance in detaining the suspect. She emphasized that police believe this is an isolated incident and that there is no wider risk to the public. However, counter-terrorism officers are involved in the investigation, which is standard procedure for incidents of this nature and does not indicate a terror-related motive at this stage.
Appeal for Information and Ongoing Motive Probe
Detectives are actively investigating potential motives behind the attack and have appealed to the public for any footage or information related to the event. Police are urging anyone with CCTV or other recordings to come forward to aid in the inquiry.
The extension of questioning time until Tuesday evening allows authorities to thoroughly examine the circumstances and gather further evidence. The case continues to develop as police work to understand the full context of the incident.
