DERBY — Police in the English city of Derby arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder after a car struck pedestrians in the city center, sending seven people to hospitals. The incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Friar Gate, a night spot in central Derby.

A 36-year-old man from Derby was arrested a short distance from the incident location and remains in police custody, Derbyshire Police said. Counterterrorism officers were assisting local police in the investigation.

Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred of the Derbyshire Constabulary addressed the counterterrorism involvement at a news conference. "I would like to clarify that this does not mean the incident is currently being treated as terrorism," Aldred said.

Aldred said that counterterrorism assistance in investigations of this type is common practice. She said police are keeping an open mind about the motive. Derby is a city of about 275,000 people northeast of Birmingham.