Arndale attacks – Manchester Met University journalism student on the scene

A man in his 40’s has been arrested outside the Arndale Centre in Manchester city centre on suspicion of serious assault, after four people were stabbed and injured in the shopping complex.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is “shocked” by the incident.

Police say two women have been treated in hospital for stab wounds. Both are described as in a “stable” condition. A man in his 50s has also been taken to hospital with stab wounds. Officers say a third woman who was injured was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Eyewitnesses say the attacks happened outside the Next store, which is close to the Exchange Square Metrolink stop, on the north side of the Arndale Centre.

MMU Multimedia Journalism student Sian McGuinness was working inside the centre when the attack began.

She told Northern Quota: “Around 11.35am we heard alarms start to go off in the centre.

“We began evacuating the customers from the store and pointing them to the nearest exit before leaving ourselves.

“Outside of the Arndale, close to the Printworks, there were at least six ambulances and several police cars, including a dog unit.

“Police were reluctant to give staff or shoppers much information on the incident except there had been an incident involving a knife and someone had been detained.

“Around 30 minutes later the police put in a road block on Shudehill between the Arndale and the Printworks.

“It was clear from being evacuated that whoever was responsible for the stabbings had been arrested, so the atmosphere was more one of concern and frustration rather than frightened.”

Greater Manchester Police said that they had estblished a rendezvous point for their operations at Piccadilly Gardens, and so people in that area should not be alarmed by seeing a large police presence.

Pat Karney, Manchester cty councillor for the area around the Arndale Centre, said he was “horrified and shocked” by the attacks.