Last Updated - 1 April at 3pm

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:

"In the aftermath of this distressing incident, the landscape is constantly shifting. We have taken the time to consult extensively with local businesses, our Purple Flag partners, transport providers and the Emergency Services. After carefully considering this feedback, we have decided to take measures to slow the traffic on Friar Gate but not to stop it. 

“Traffic calming measures will be in place along with an increased high visibility Police presence across the city centre.

“The recent incident was an isolated occurrence, and we remain fully committed to ensuring our residents and visitors feel safe and welcome in a city centre that is very much open for business.”

You can view a recording of this statement on our YouTube channel.

31 March 2026

A man has been charged in connection with an incident in Derby city centre.

Seven people were injured – some seriously – after a Suzuki Swift was in collision with a number of pedestrians in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm on Saturday 28 March.

All seven were taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. Four people have since been discharged from hospital.

A 36-year-old man was arrested shortly afterwards.

Sandhu Ponnachan, of Chariot Close, Alvaston, has now been charged with six counts of Section 18 GBH with intent, one count of attempted Section 18 GBH with intent, one count of dangerous driving, and one count of possession of a bladed article.

Ponnachan, who lives in Derby but is originally from India, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Wednesday 1 April.

Read more about the charges on the Derbyshire Constabulary website.

 

30 March at 4:20pm

Detectives have been given more time to question a man after pedestrians were struck by a car in Derby on Saturday evening.
The man, who is 36 and from Derby, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder minutes after the incident happened.
He remains in police custody this afternoon (Monday 30 March) being interviewed by detectives who have until tomorrow evening to question him.
Of the seven people injured during the incident – four men and three women aged between 36 and 52 – three have now been discharged from hospital.
All seven sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

 

29 March at 3:25pm

The cordon put in place following the incident in Friar Gate has been lifted. All businesses are able to reopen, vehicles are able to be recovered, and residents are able to return to their homes.
Thank you for your patience and support.

 

29 March at 12:50pm

We're continuing to work with Derbyshire police throughout their ongoing investigation. Please be aware Friar Gate and some surrounding streets are still closed.  Drivers whose vehicles are parked within the cordon in Derby city centre will not be able to retrieve them until further notice.

Vehicles will not be accessible until the scene has been lifted and the road has reopened.

Please continue to avoid the affected area to allow officers to carry out their vital work.


I am horrified by the incident in our city centre on Saturday evening, where several pedestrians were injured after being struck by a vehicle. 

My thoughts, and those of the entire city, are with those injured, their families, and everyone who witnessed this distressing event.

I want to thank the emergency services for their rapid response and professional care under such difficult circumstances. Our frontline responders do an incredible job, and the safety of our residents remains our absolute priority.

We are working closely with Derbyshire Police as they investigate the circumstances of this incident. I urge anyone with information to contact the Police immediately to assist with their investigation.

Please continue to avoid the affected area to allow officers to carry out their vital work.

Please visit the Derbyshire Police website for further infomation and updates.