The car that was used to mow down pedestrians outside a mosque in Cricklewood has been found by police.
Brent’s borough commander Simon Rose said a “full forensic examination” is currently being undertaken to identify the owner and passengers at the time.
A motorist drove into a group outside the Al-Majlis Al-Hussaini mosque in Oxgate Lane at about 12.20am on Wednesday.
Four people who were in the car are alleged to have made anti-Muslim taunts before mounting the pavement, hitting the pedestrians and driving off.
Det Ch Supt Rose said he is due to meet members of the centre to reassure them that everything is being done to locate the driver and passengers.
He said: “This is a fast moving investigation but we have now identified the car that was used from the partial registration provided, traced it, and recovered it for a full forensic examination in order to identify the current owner and occupants at the time.
“Hate crime in any form will not be tolerated in London.”
He is working closely with the MPS chairman of the Association of Muslim Police (AMP) Javid Rana, also vice president of the National Association of Muslim Police. Mr Rana said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims, their family and also their friends.
“Please be rest assured that the MPS is doing every possible to identify the suspects and bring them to justice.
“Det Ch Supt Rose and the AMP will be attending the centre in due course to offer reassurance as we stand shoulder to shoulder with the local community.”
Earlier reports state the collision followed an incident in which a group was asked to leave the car park because they were behaving antisocially.
Two of the injured pedestrians were taken to hospital but not seriously hurt.
Police said the collision was not being treated as terror-related but hate crime was being looked at as an “aggravating factor”.
Brent councillors and neighbours attended a vigil on Wednesday night that coincided with Eid al-Mubahalah, an annual Shia Muslim commemoration that has been taking place at the centre.
Police chief Det Ch Supt Rose added: “I understand the concerns of the Muslim community at this very holy time and echo the comments made by Javid Rana.
“The MPS is very proud of our diverse communities and would like to reassure our Muslim community that this matter is being taken very seriously indeed.”
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