An alleged mentally unstable man reportedly lunged at random people in one of the biggest shopping centres in Manchester (Manchester Arndale) on Friday and stabbed a 19-year-old woman, a man, 59, and another woman, who are now hospitalized. Reports added that a total number of 5 people were injured in the incident of which two had minor injuries. The attacker who is in his 40's has been detained by Manchester Police under the Mental Health Act. As per reports, the shopping centre authorities and security evacuated it during and after the incident. Witnesses on the day report to media that the public was screaming and running out after a man started to attack shoppers with a large knife. Manchester Police informed that the teen who had been injured had to undergo surgery due to the stabbing and the 59-year-old suffered injuries in the hand. The mall reopened on Saturday.

Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable, Russ Jackson in a statement to the media showered praise for the worker and the public who stopped the alleged lunatic attacker. 

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Details of the investigation

Following the incident, the Police organized a Press Conference in which they revealed that they had searched a property in the city where the arrested man lived. The officers added that they did so in order to establish if he had any political, religious or ideological motivation for the attack. Yet nothing has been concluded as of now. The accused was initially held on suspicion of assault then re-arrested on suspicion of terror offences before he was detained under the Mental Health Act. Police are keeping an open mind and not jumping on to any conclusions said, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to the media. Yet at this stage, it would appear to be more mental-health-related than political or religiously motivated, he added. The attack has been termed as an isolated incident and no further threats are anticipated, he said. 

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Mass attacks in Manchester

Manchester Arndale is just a short walk from Manchester Arena, where 22 people were killed following a suicide bombing outside an Ariana Grande concert. Manchester City Council said to the media that Manchester's public has shown its resilience, its ability to come together and its determination to get on with business to get on with life. Adding highlight to knife crime, he said that Police are going deep into the matter. Stop and search powers have reduced the incidents in summer, he claimed. 

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(With inputs from agencies)