Two women “wearing traditional Muslim clothing” have been hit by a car in Walthamstow.

Police said that there is no indication that the women, who were crossing Shernhall Street when they were hit, were “deliberately targeted”.

CCTV footage reviewed by officers showed that the crash last Thursday (February 1) took place as the car turned into the road just after 7pm.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene and has not been arrested.

One of the women was taken to hospital with “serious injuries” where she remains. Her condition has been described as “not life-threatening”.

Police have said that one of the women felt they had been targeted due to their "Islamic dress", so the incident has been formally recorded as a hate crime.

But investigators now believe that the women were not targeted deliberately, and that the incident was instead an “unfortunate” road traffic collision.

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, who is in charge of policing Waltham Forest, said: “I am saddened to hear about this incident and the serious injuries sustained by one of the women.

“Officers have spoken with one of the women, and when medically appropriate they will speak with the second woman.”

He added: “I am aware of community concerns, and I take these extremely seriously.

“As part of my commitment to ensuring that all alleged hate crimes are investigated thoroughly and as a priority, the investigation by Met officers in Waltham Forest has been reviewed by specialist hate crime investigators.

“Their assessment is also that the women were not specifically targeted.”

Any witnesses yet to speak with police are asked to call 101 and quoting reference CAD6364/1Feb.