Manchester terror attack probe: man arrested on suspicion of terror offence after three people stabbed at Arndale shopping centre

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James Morris11 October 2019
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of a terror offence after three people were stabbed in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre.

The man, aged in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism, Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said.

The three stab victims were taken to hospital, with the North West Ambulance Service saying one person suffered "serious injuries".

Greater Manchester Police said two other people were injured, one with superficial injuries and another who was caught up in the attack but did not require treatment.

Police initially reported five people had been stabbed.

Manchester: Arndale Centre Stabbing

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A police statement read: "We were called to reports of a multiple stabbing at the Arndale shopping centre at 11.15am earlier today.

"At this stage we believe that four people were injured during the incident – not five as previously reported.

"A 19-year-old woman was taken to hospital with stab wounds. Another woman was also taken to hospital with stab injuries. Both their conditions are described as stable.

Police running through the shopping centre
PA

"A man in his 50s has also been taken to hospital with stab wounds."

It added: "A fourth victim – a woman in her 40s who was not stabbed - has been assessed and did not need to go to hospital following assessment by paramedics.

"A man in his 40s – who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of serious assault – remains in custody for questioning."

Social media posts showed a large number of officers at the scene and a suspect being Tasered.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Shocked by the incident in Manchester and my thoughts are with the injured and all those affected.

"Thank you to our excellent emergency services who responded and who are now investigating what happened."

Freddie Houlder, 22, from Market Drayton, was in the Arndale when he heard "a load of screams just outside" the shop he was in.

He said a woman then came into the shop and told others "a guy just ran past the shop and tried to stab me".

Mr Houlder added: "Luckily she had quite a thick jacket - she thought originally it was a fake knife because of how easily it grazed off but police came in and said it was a real knife and she burst into tears."

He said he was evacuated several minutes later at which point he saw "a bunch of curtains covering someone seriously injured or dead, I don't know".

David Allinson, centre director at Manchester Arndale, said: “A serious incident has taken place at Manchester Arndale this morning.

“The centre has been evacuated while police investigate the incident.

“We are unable to comment any further as the incident is currently being handled by Greater Manchester Police, who we will continue to support with their investigation.”

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