The family of the man held by police over the Finsbury Park attack say they are "massively shocked" and "their hearts go out to the injured".

A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of commissioning, preparing or instigating terrorism including murder and attempted murder after pedestrians were targeted by a man driving a van near Finsbury Park Mosque in north London early on Monday.

This man is understood to be a father-of-four originally from Weston-super-Mare, Darren Osborne, who was living in Cardiff.

In a statement on behalf of the family, Osborne's nephew Ellis Osborne, 26, said: "We are massively shocked; it's unbelievable, it still hasn't really sunk in.

"We are devastated for the families, our hearts go out to the people who have been injured."



Terror suspect Darren Osborne is from Somerset
Terror suspect Darren Osborne is from Somerset


People in Cardiff said they were "shocked" after seeing photographs of their neighbour being arrested in London.

In a telephone interview with ITV News, his mother described him as a "complex" person but said "that's all I can say".


She said: "It's a terrible, terrible shock."



Neighbour Khadijeh Sherizi said: "I saw him on the news and I thought 'oh my God' that is my neighbour.



"I just can't believe it."


He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:04am.

A spokesman said police investigations are "continuing to establish whether there is any link between his death and the attack" adding: "T he man suspected of driving the van was detained by members of the public at the scene."


He said: "By God's grace we managed to surround him and protect him from any harm.


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.


The suspect remains in custody at a south London police station.



Earlier, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the incident was "quite clearly an attack on Muslims" and that "we treat this as a terrorist attack".

She said: "Sadly we have suffered a number of attacks and very sad events over the last few weeks."