Manchester shopping center attacker acted alone
Updated 21:50, 12-Oct-2019
CGTN

A knife attack at Manchester's Arndale shopping centre appears to be "more mental health-related" than politically or religiously motivated, the local mayor has said.

Three people are recovering from stab wounds after a man armed with a large knife lunged at shoppers on Friday morning.

A 40-year-old was arrested within five minutes on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism, and he was later detained under the Mental Health Act.

The man attacked people around him and chased two unarmed officers after entering Manchester's Arndale shopping centre in the city centre at 11:15 a.m. local time. 

Police arrested a man outside the Arndale center in Manchester. (Credit: John Greenhalgh/AP)

Police arrested a man outside the Arndale center in Manchester. (Credit: John Greenhalgh/AP)

On Friday Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson told reporters the attack appeared random, and was "extremely frightening for anyone who witnessed it."

 "He was armed with a large knife, he began lunging and attacking people with the knife."

Police say three people suffered stab wounds, two women, one aged 19, and a man in his 50s. 

Armed police officers keep guard near the Arndale centre in Manchester. (Credit: AP)

Armed police officers keep guard near the Arndale centre in Manchester. (Credit: AP)

Counter-terrorism officers continue to lead the investigation and are keeping an open mind about the reasons for the attack, but it is understood no political, religious or ideological motivation has so far been uncovered.

Police have searched the man's address in Manchester as part of their inquiries.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham held a press conference on Saturday in the reopened Arndale, close to the scene of the attack.

He said: "Yesterday's incident in the Arndale centre was deeply distressing for those caught up in it, but of course for everybody across our whole area.

"As the city returns to normality this morning, Greater Manchester is doing what it always does - which is to respond in a considered way, providing support to those who need it, prosecuting those responsible, and of course learning any lessons that may need to be learned.

"We think first this morning of those recovering from their injuries and I am sure I speak for everybody in Greater Manchester in wishing them a very, very speedy recovery indeed.

"This would appear to be an isolated incident so the message very much this morning is it's business as usual.

"It is important not to jump to conclusions but what I can say is that at this stage, it would appear to be more mental health-related than political or religious motivated - but of course we need to allow the police to conduct their full inquiries and we keep an open mind on that until that work is complete."

Earlier in the day, images and videos posted on social media showed the police, armed with tasers, arresting the suspect at the Arndale shopping center. 

Other posts showed people being carried off on stretchers and emergency services surrounding the mall. 

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

Built during the 1970s, Manchester's Arndale center is one of the UK's best-known shopping malls. In 1996 it was bombed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) injuring 212 people. 

In May 2017, Britain's most deadly attack also took place in the same city when Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old Briton born to Libyan parents, killed 22 people when he blew himself up at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena.  

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said: "This is bound to bring back memories of the awful events of 2017.

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

Islamic State said it was responsible in the immediate aftermath of the 2017 bombing but security services have viewed the claim with some scepticism. 

The attacker's brother, Abedi, who is suspected of involvement, was extradited from Libya in July. 

Source(s): Reuters ,AP