MUSLIM groups in Chelmsford have said they are saddened by the terror attack outside a London mosque.

A van was driven into a group of eight Muslim people near a mosque in Finsbury Park, London on Monday June 19.

It is understood that a man collapsed and the Muslim people were around him, looking after him when they were struck by the van.

A 48-year-old man was arrested after being detained by members of the public.

Ayman Syed, General Secretary, of the Chelmsford Muslim Society said he is shocked and saddened by what he had heard about the incident involving the group of people walking home from prayers.

He added: “Sadly this feeling has been a common one for us during this holy month of Ramadan.

“It’s a time when we abstain from food and water to help create a heightened awareness of spirituality to move closer to God.

“We have been seeing too much intentional loss of life from Manchester, London Bridge and now Finsbury Park.

“But also the tragic unexpected loss of lives from the horrible Grenfell Tower. It’s all been heart-breaking.

“In Chelmsford we have a very good relationship with the police and throughout this month they have been in contact with us to ensure the com - munity feels safe and reassured.

“All this does is help fuel the ex - tremes on both sides while the innocent continue to suffer.

“It may seem cliché to say but we want continued unity. We all feel safer and stronger when we stand together. “We will see the last few days of Ramadan out with Prayers and thoughts for those that have died and we will do so with continued vigilance knowing that we are target for those that wish to destroy our way of life and also by those that blame us for our way of life.”

On Monday night, faith leaders addressed a crowd at a vigil outside the nearby Finsbury Park Mosque.

After a short silence, chairman of the mosque Mohammed Kozbar told those gathered that the attack was “on our families, on our freedom, on our dignity”.

It is understood that the van has links to Cardiff, Wales.

A man has died and 11 people were injured after a man drove a van into a group of Muslim worshippers in London, it is unclear if the man died as a result of the attack.

Nine people are being treated in three hospitals, with some in a serious condition.

Theresa May called the attack an “evil act” which has “devastated a community”, which police are treating the attack as a terrorist incident.