Man held under Mental Health Act after knifing

Manchester: Terror suspect assessed by doctors

A terror suspect arrested after three people were stabbed at Manchester’s Arndale Shopping Centre has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

A man armed with a large knife walked into the Exchange Court area of the building at 11.15am yesterday and began lunging at shoppers.

A man in his 50s, a 19-year-old woman and another woman were rushed to hospital with stab wounds.

None of the injuries were thought to be lifethreatening and both women were said to be stable, while two more women were also treated.

Two unarmed police community support officers attempted to confront the assailant who chased them as they called for urgent assistance.

Witnesses described a scene of horror as shoppers sought refuge in stores.

Within five minutes, the knifeman was challenged and detained by armed officers in nearby Corporation Street at the side of Marks and Spencer.

A 40-year-old man from the Manchester area was arrested on suspicion of assault and then rearrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism.

Police later said he was detained under the Mental Health Act following an assessment by specialist doctors.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “We do not know the motivation for this terrible attack. It appears random, is certainly brutal and of course extremely frightening for anyone who witnessed it.

“At this time we do not believe that there is anyone else involved in this attack but we will be constantly keeping this under review.

“We have specially trained officers supporting those injured from the attack. We’ll have increased patrols, including armed patrols, in the city centre this weekend.”

He appealed for anyone who was in the Arndale at the time to send any images or footage from the scene via the force’s website.

The shopping centre is just a few hundred yards from Manchester Arena where 22 people were killed in 2017 when a suicide bomb was detonated.

RESPONSE: Police and ambulances outside the Arndale Centre in Manchester after three people were stabbed