Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has vowed to protect Muslims observing Ramadan after a lone attacker ploughed into a crowd outside a mosque in north London.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan spoke alongside Ms Dick at the scene of the incident in Finsbury Park.
Witnesses told how the suspect shouted “kill me, kill me” and blew kisses from the back of a police van after he was pinned to the ground and arrested following the attack in the early hours of Monday.
The suspect was tackled to the floor and detained by onlookers after the vehicle veered into a crowd of worshippers who had just finished prayers at the mosque in Seven Sisters Road.
The commissioner said the capital’s Muslims observing Ramadan would be offered extra police protection in the wake of the incident.
While Mr Khan branded the incident which left one man dead and nine others injured “a truly horrific terror attack”.
He said: “This is a truly horrific terrorist attack on our city, where innocent bystanders were deliberately targeted after returning from the Taraweeh Ramadan prayers.
"My thoughts and prayers, as I'm sure the thoughts and prayers of all of London and the country, are with all those affected by the attack last night, particularly the man who tragically died last night at the scene.
"This attack behind me in Seven Sisters, the attack in Manchester, the attack on London Bridge, the attack on Westminster Bridge are all an attack on our shared values, our shared values of tolerance and freedom and respect," he said.
"And we will not allow these terrorists to succeed."
Ms Dick added: “This was quite clearly an attack on Muslims who looked like they were probably Muslims and they were coming from a prayer meeting. We treat this as a terrorist attack."
"This is an appalling attack on a wonderful, happy, integrated community here in London.
"Sadly we have suffered a number of attacks and very sad events over the last few weeks.
Finsbury Park attack June 19
"This has shocked the Metropolitan Police as much as it has shocked everybody else and we have come here to try to say to people who are feeling utterly devastated, right here and in the wider communities, in particular in our Muslim communities, that we will be doing everything we can in our power to protect you and to support you.
"We take all forms of hate crime incredibly seriously and we want to stop people becoming violent extremists of any sort, however we can.
"Clearly it takes more than just the police.
"People of this community have a very good working experience with the local police, they will be seeing more police in the area - particularly around religious establishments, they will see more officers on the streets, they may see more armed officers on the streets as well," the Commissioner said.
A 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism.
He is being held at a south London police station.
Scotland Yard said in a statement that the suspect, who was protected from an angry mob by a heroic Imam, is believed to have acted alone.