Attack suspect’s family say ‘hearts go out’ to victims

Man arrested over Finsbury Park Mosque incident named as Darren Osborne

The family of the man held by police over the Finsbury Park attack say “their hearts go out to the injured”.

Darren Osborne, a 47-year-old who is believed to be a father-of-four from Cardiff, was arrested after pedestrians were targeted by a man driving a van near Finsbury Park Mosque in north London early yesterday.

In a statement, Osborne’s nephew Ellis Osborne, 26, said: “We are devastated for the families, our hearts go out to the people who have been injured.”

The London Ambulance Service took nine people to three London hospitals, while two people were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Witnesses described hearing a van driver shout: “I’m going to kill Muslims.”

The man was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but Scotland Yard said he was later arrested for the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism including murder and attempted murder.

Police have been searching a residential address in Pentwyn, where Osborne is listed as living.

Scotland Yard said the attack unfolded while a man who had taken ill was receiving first aid from the public.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.04 am.

A spokesman said police investigations are “continuing to establish whether there is any link between his death and the attack”.

Imam Mohammed Mahmoud was hailed for his efforts to prevent a mob attack by shielding the suspected terrorist from the fury of onlookers until police arrived.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said it is being “treated as a terrorist incident” adding: “The investigation is ongoing and we are working fast to know the full details of how and why this took place.

“All the victims were from the Muslim community and we will be deploying extra police patrols to reassure the public, especially those observing Ramadan.”

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

Security Minister Ben Wallace confirmed the suspect was not known to the security services.

He told BBC Radio 4: “What I can say on this case is this individual, so far as we know at the moment, was not known to us, but we are aware of a rise in the far right.”

Theresa May condemned the incident as “every bit as sickening” as the atrocities in London and Manchester.

Flowers have been laid near the scene, with one card reading: “This is an attack on all Londoners and on my community.”

Pictures: Getty Images/PA. Left: a police officer stands outside a property during a search of a house in Pentwyn, which is believed to be the home of Darren Osborne. Right: a police officer and members of the public walk past flowers, close to Finsbury Park Mosque in north...