Manchester stabbing: Man arrested on suspicion of terror offences after three people knifed in shopping centre attack

• Knife wielding man rampaged through the Arndale shopping centre shouting “I'm going to f*** you up” as he stabbed shoppers with a large knife.

• Three people were stabbed and taken to hospital, while a fourth - who was not stabbed - was treated by medics at the scene.

• Counter Terrorism officers re-arrested a man, aged 40, on suspicion of terror offences after he was initially detained on suspicion of serious assault.

• Mobile phone footage showed officers tasering and detaining the suspect on Market Street, outside the shopping centre in Salford.

• There will be an increase in armed officers patrolling the city centre this weekend, as police say they “believe there is no wider threat at this time”.

• The Arndale Centre remains closed, while a police cordon is in place near the building’s Shudehill entrance.

A man has been arrested on terror charges after four people were injured in a frenzied knife attack in a Manchester shopping centre.

According to eyewitnesses, a knifeman went on a rampage in the Arndale Centre and started “lunging at people”.

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

“A man was running around with a knife lunging at multiple people, one of which came into my store visibly shaken with a small graze,” one eyewitness, called Jordan, said.

Janet Loudon, 21, who witnessed the attack unfold, said: "'I came out of work and saw a black man shouting racial slurs and being very hostile towards an Arndale worker, who was also black.

'I carried on walking but saw police run inside the Arndale and heard someone shout 'knife' and another shout 'bomb' – I was frantically looking for my friend.

“That was when I heard that people had been stabbed and everyone was panicking and frantic. We saw a victim slouched between an ATM which was a horrific sight and she was taken away to be helped.

“It wasn't clear what the man was saying but he was swearing and telling the public "I'm going to f*** you up" repeatedly and he got more and more agitated.”

Greater Manchester Police responded to reports of an incident at the Arndale Centre at around 11.30am on Friday.

Dramatic footage captured on mobile phone showed an officer pointing a Taser gun at a man lying on his front on the ground.

At first, police confirmed a man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of serious assault, before being moved to the custody of specialist anti-terror officers.

And at around 3pm, Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable, Russ Jackson, said the suspect had been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism.

Two women - one of whom is aged 19 - and a man, believed to be in his 50s, were taken to hospital with stab injuries, where their conditions were described as stable.

A fourth victim – a woman in her 40s, who was not stabbed – was assessed by paramedics on the scene and did not need to go to hospital.

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

There have been no reports of any fatalities.

Initial, confirmed reports that five people had been injured were later downgraded to four, with police clarifying that three of those were stabbing injuries.

Workers were told to remain inside as armed police patrol the shopping centre.

Witnesses say they saw stretchers being taken into the building, after hearing reports of two people ‘randomly stabbing people’.

Police have no evidence to suggest a second attacker was involved in the incident.

One tweeted: “City centre stabbing: I’ve just seen paramedics wheel a stretcher into The Arndale.

“I’m told that two people were ‘randomly stabbing people’ in the shopping complex. One suspect was arrested close to where I’m standing, I’m told.”

A further witness claimed three people were stabbed outside a branch of Starbucks inside the shopping centre.

Read more from Yahoo News UK:
Thousands of tourists flock to climb Uluru in Australia ahead of ban
No-deal Brexit ‘will put lives at risk’, according to outgoing Chief Medical Officer
Solicitor stole nearly £1m from bereaved families

Responding to the news, Starbucks said in a statement: “We are aware of this incident and are supporting local authorities as they respond.

Earlier, Greater Manchester Police said although investigations are being conducted by Counter Terrorism Police they were "keeping an open mind" about the motive.

But new reports are now suggesting police the incident is being treated as a 'lone wolf' terror attack.

The statement read: “In these early stages we are keeping an open mind about the motivation of this terrible incident and the circumstances as we know them.

“Given the location of the incident and its nature, officers from Counter Terrorism Police North West are leading the investigation as we determine the circumstances.

“A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of serious assault. He has been taken to custody for questioning.

“Enquiries remain ongoing.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 1055 of 11/10/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Arndale Centre director David Allison said: “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.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a statement addressing the incident at the busy shopping centre.

Posting on Twitter, Mr 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."

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Very concerned by the incident in Manchester. My thoughts are with those affected. I am, as always, very grateful to the police for running towards danger to keep us safe.

“Now important they are given space to carry out their investigation."

The Arndale Centre remains closed, while a police cordon is in place near the building’s Shudehill entrance.

Local transport in the area has also been affected.