STAB HORROR AT ARNDALE
‘Lone wolf’ arrested on suspicion of terror offence after five people injured in knife rampage
COUNTER terror police are investigating what the knifeman said during the Manchester Arndale stabbing attack.
The M.E.N. understands the incident is being treated as a ‘lone wolf’ attack.
Senior sources have said that officers are now analysing what he said during and in the aftermath of the incident.
Three people were stabbed and another two injured following the attack at around 11am yesterday.
Witnesses described a scene of horror as shoppers, some with injuries, sought refuge in stores.
The stabbing attack prompted a huge police response with officers sprinting to the scene and a full evacuation of the Arndale ordered.
The M.E.N. understands that in the immediate aftermath, police declared Operation PLATO, the prearranged response for emergency services during a suspected marauding terror attack.
Counter Terrorism officers are leading the investigation due to the nature and location of the attack.
PLATO was declared during the bombing attack on the Manchester Arena in 2017.
It means the Force Duty Officer is required to notify 16 agencies, including the fire service, the ambulance service and the military.
A huge cordon was erected around the Arndale with armed police on patrol and the force helicopter hovering overhead.
Police, fire and ambulance services gathered in Piccadilly Gardens for a ‘GOLD’ level briefing.
Forensic teams were last night trawling the Arndale for clues following the stabbing spree.
They have been pictured at the centre as the investigation continues. The centre was put on lockdown but will reopen again at 8am today.
Teams were also seen taking pictures outside the Arndale, near the Exchange Square tram stop.
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said: “At 11.15am, a man entered the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester city centre. He was armed with a large knife and as he entered Exchange Court began lunging, attacking people with the knife.
“Two unarmed police community support officers were in Exchange Court and attempted to confront the attacker.
“He then chased them with the knife as they were calling for urgent assistance.
“The man attacked people around him and we understand five people were injured by him. “Although the injuries are nasty, we are told that, thankfully, none are life-threatening.”
Mr Jackson said the suspect is from the Manchester area. Mr Jackson said the attacks took place in the Exchange Court area of the shopping centre but the man was later detained by armed officers on Market Street.
He said there were initially four people believed to be injured but another woman had since presented at hospital with a superficial wound.
Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor for policing, crime and fire, said: “I want to praise Greater Manchester’s emergency services for their swift and professional action.
“Our thoughts are with the five people injured.
“The scene has been secured and all emergency services are engaged in ensuring public safety - the investigation is ongoing.”
Manchester council’s city centre spokesman Pat Karney said: “We are horrified and shocked at what has happened.
“The public authority, council and emergency services plan for these situations and were here very quickly and got control of the situation.
As we go into the weekend we encourage people to go about their normal lives Coun Nigel Murphy
“The main priority was to take control and take people to hospital
Coun Nigel Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester council, said: “It has been confirmed that this is being treated as a suspected terrorist incident. While there are some serious injuries, we’re relieved that none are believed to be life-threatening.
“I would like to thank Mancunians for responding to this situation with the resilience, calm good sense and solidarity which we have come to expect. As we go into the weekend we would encourage people to continue going about their normal lives.
“Manchester is very much open and returning to normal.
“I would like to pay tribute to our emergency services for their handling of this incident.”
The Arndale Centre is just a few hundred yards from the Manchester Arena and Victoria railway station – both of which have been the scene of recent terror attacks.
Twenty-two people were killed in May 2017 when Salman Abedi detonated a suicide bomb in the Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande concert.
Last New Year’s Eve, three people including a police officer were seriously injured after a 25-year-old man launched a knife attack on passers-by.