Counter terror police are investigating after five people were ‘randomly’ stabbed inside Manchester’s Arndale center.
One man was seriously injured with stomach and back wounds, according to reports.
Witnessscreamed in terror as they fledthe building after the attacker ‘lunged’ at multiple people.
A man in his 40 s has been arrested on suspicion of serious assault and the center remains on lockdown.
There were two attackers who were randomly stabbing shoppers, witnesses told theManchester Evening News– but this remains unconfirmed.
A photo shows a man lying face down while police point Tasers at him.
Another image shows a victim being treated by paramedics inside Starbucks.
Are you in the Manchester Arndale center? Email pictures and video to[email protected]
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A shop worker, who gave his name only as Jordan, 23, told the PA news agency: “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.
“Soon after, security staff told all retail staff to close their doors and move the public to the back of the stores.”
Jordan, who has only been working at the center for a few months, said the attack took place on the ground floor.
“Specialist officers are continuing to respond to an incident at the Arndale shopping center in Manchester city center,” a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said.
“We can confirm that five people have been stabbed and taken to hospital.
” 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. “
It is not known whether there are any fatalities, but two women were stabbed in the hand.
Dramatic footage taken outside the Manchester city center shopping mall shows a police officer deploying a Taser on a man.
North West Ambulance Service said it had treated four people after being called at 11. 17 am.
A large police cordon has been put in place as police secure the scene.
Armed police officers are patrolling inside the shopping mall.
Air ambulance helicopters arrived at the center shortly after 12 PM.
Five fire engines are in Piccdailly Gardens close to the center.
They are communicating with the police and paramedics as part of a ‘gold’ meeting to assess the nature of the attack.
Although the center has been evacuated there are reports that people have been kept inside the Arndale.
John Sheerhout, a journalist for the Manchester Evening News, reported being told that two people were randomly stabbing people.
“I’ve just seen paramedics wheel a stretcher into The Arndale, “he posted.
“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 floor manager in one of the center’s shops told of the moment she found out about the incident.
“I was an announcement over the radio saying ‘do not evacuate yet but something has happened’,” she said.
“We got told to put our shutters down and then wait.
” We opened the shutters and the tannoy said ‘evacuate’, so we were gone.
“When we first came out, no one knew what was going on. Now we’ve heard it is awful.”
One woman who reported being in the center heaped praise on the shops that offered her shelter.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted his thanks to the emergency services.
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. “
The shutters have been pulled down over the windows of shops including Boots and Vodafone.
Freddie Houlder , 22, said: “I was in Office about 10 meters away from where someone potentially got stabbed.
“I was in the shop, a woman came in really quickly.
“ She had been grazed by a knife, they locked the doors, they evacuated the shop 15 minutes after.
“They put curtains around where people have been stabbed.
“The woman was standing outside the shop. They caught the guy. She burst into tears, she was so lucky she was wearing a thick jacket.
“He was running around going for as many people as possible.”
One office worker in the Arndale Tower said workers were being told to stay inside.
He said: “There are hundreds of us in the offices up here. Our information is quite limited. They aren’t letting us out of the office at the minute.
“I assume they think we’re safe up here. We’re not allowed into the main Arndale shopping center.
“There’s just a lot of confusion and panic up here, they just aren’t letting any of us out of the lobby. ”
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The Arndale Center 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 Ariane Grande concert – the youngest victim was just eight years old.
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.
The suspect was heard to shout “Allah” and “Long live the Caliphate” during the incident – he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and his since been detained under the Mental Health Act.
(In) , the Arndale Center was damaged in a major bomb attack by the IRA in which a 1, 500 – kilograms device loaded on a lorry was detonated on Corporation Street.
More than 200 people were injured in the explosion, although there were no fatalities.
Anyone with information about today’s incident should call police on 101 quoting incident number 1055 of 11 / 10 / 2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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