Manchester truck attack: Pick-up was 'deliberately' driven into a pedestrian near the Arndale shopping centre

Police say the incident was 'linked to organised crime'

Well Street in the Manchester city centre, where the attack took place (Google Maps)

A manhunt has been launched for a pickup truck driver who drove at pedestrians in Manchester city centre, hitting a man in what police called a "targeted attack".

Investigators believe the incident was “linked to an organised crime group”, a spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police said.

The pair had been arguing before the man got into his truck and "deliberately" targeted the victim, police said.

He was not seriously injured and was able to jump into a BMW. Police said he was chased for a short while by the truck, before making his escape.

The incident took place on Well Street near the Arndale centre in the city’s shopping district. No one else was hit by the truck.

He was later found with minor injuries by officers, although his car window had been smashed.

"When this call first came in we were obviously concerned, but we quickly established that this was not terror related,” said Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin.

"Thankfully there were no serious injuries, we could have been dealing with a much more serious situation. We are appealing for witnesses to help us identify the driver of the truck."

"This was the city centre and there were lots of people in the area who would have witnessed the commotion."

A force spokesman said the truck chased the man in the BMW for a short time.