Manchester Arndale terror suspect pictured being led away by police

The suspect behind a stabbing spree at a busy shopping centre in Manchester has been pictured as he is led away in handcuffs.

Counter-terror police swooped on the Arndale centre at around 11.15am this morning after two women and a man were knifed.

The incident is being treated as a ‘lone wolf’ attack, reports the Manchester Evening News.

A 41-year-old man from Manchester was arrested nearby and footage on social media appeared to show he had been Tasered.

Another video clip also shows the suspect – wearing a black puffer coat, dark trousers and grey shoes – surrounded by five officers.

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The man can be seen face down on the pavement as the officers restrain him, before lifting him up by his arms and pushing his head down.

The man was initially arrested on suspicion of serious assault but has since been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism.

Senior sources have said that officers are now analysing what he said during and in the aftermath of the incident.

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.

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

Witnesses described a scene of horror as shoppers, some with injuries, sought refuge in stores.

One shop worker, who gave his name only as Jordan, 23, said: “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 centre for a few months, said the attack took place on the ground floor.

Freddie Houlder, 22, from Market Drayton was in the Arndale Centre 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 in to 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”.

“I definitely don’t think it was gang violence because this guy was going around trying to stab random people, I believe.”

Tina Concar, 52, from Miles Platting, Manchester, said she was evacuated from the centre after the attack.

“We only knew something was unfolding as loads of people started running towards us, at first shouting ‘bomb’.

“But then someone mentioned that a person had been stabbed. People were panicking and running as security staff were running the other way.”

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.”

“The scene has been secured and all emergency services are engaged in ensuring public safety – the investigation is ongoing.”

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has been stood down from the incident.

NWAS said in a statement: “We have been dealing with the incident alongside Greater Manchester Police since 11.15 until 13.56 today.”

It added: “A large number of staff have been involved and we dispatched 13 ambulances, four hazardous area response vehicles, two advanced paramedics, two doctors and two officers to the scene.

“We would like to thank the public for their assistance and patience whilst we dealt with the incident, and express our gratitude to all our staff who have worked hard over the last few hours.”