Detectives have launched an investigation after three people were injured following a collision near a Muslim community centre in Cricklewood.
Police were called at 00:35hrs on Wednesday, 19 September to reports of a car in collision with a number of pedestrians on Oxgate Lane in Brent.
Local borough officers and the London Ambulance Service attended.
Two people were taken to hospital for treatment; two of those injured are males in their twenties. Their injuries are minor. One did not require hospital treatment.
A man in his fifties remains in hospital and is being treated for a serious leg injury.
The car involved failed to stop at the scene and enquiries are underway to trace the driver and occupants.
Police have established that at approximately 00:20hrs security at the community centre were informed of occupants in a car behaving anti-socially, drinking and allegedly using drugs.
The occupants of the car – three males and a woman all aged in their mid-twenties – were asked to leave the private car park.
The car then drove near the centre and the occupants were involved in a confrontation with a large group of people visiting the centre.
Words were exchanged and comments of an Islamophobic nature were allegedly made by the group in the car.
The car then reportedly sustained minor damage by some of those outside the centre. It proceeded to make off at speed colliding with three individuals as it left.
The car and its occupants who failed to stop and injured three people are being sought by police. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information concerning the car involved or the occupants is requested to call Brent CID on 07747 476 161 or 101 quoting CAD 150/29 Sept or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also tweet police via @MetCC
This incident is not being treated as terror related but the hate crime aspect of the collision is being looked at by detectives as an aggravating factor.
DS Kelly Schonhage from Brent CID said: “We are treating this incident very seriously and a number of enquiries are underway to trace the car and those involved. Enquiries into the full circumstances of the collision are ongoing. If you were there at the time and have information I would urge you to contact police with information. Extra neighbourhood police patrols have been stepped up in the area and officers will be on hand to speak with those in the local community.”
+ The Met have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and the hidden nature of this crime, which remains largely under-reported. The MPS stands together with policing partners, colleagues and groups to investigate all hate crime allegations, support victims and their families, and bring perpetrators to justice.
We would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers any hate of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those responsible.
Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app or through community reporting methods such as Tell MAMA, Galop, or the CST.
