Manchester incident: Arndale Centre evacuated amid reports of suspect with knife days after four stabbed

Police confirm no reported injuries as officers search building

Greater Manchester Police said officers arrested a suspect after reports of a man with a knife at the Arndale shopping centre (PA)

Manchester’s Arndale Shopping Centre has been evacuated amid reports of a man with a knife just a week after four people were stabbed in the same location.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers arrested a suspect after concerns were phoned in.

A man was arrested and taken into custody, but police said no one was harmed at the scene.

Footage on social media appeared to show a large police and ambulance service presence outside the centre.

"Police remain in attendance at Manchester Arndale Centre following reports of a man with a knife," GMP said in a statement. "Officers attended and a man has been arrested. He has been taken into custody for questioning. There are no reported injuries."

It added: "There is not believed to be any wider threat to the community. Police are remaining in the area to reassure the public."

A North West Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were in attendance but there are no patients, there are no casualties so there is no more information at this time."

It comes after four people were hurt after a man armed with a large knife lunged at shoppers on Friday last week.

Counter-terrorism police led the investigation on 11 October due to the location and nature of the attack, Greater Manchester Police said at the time.

A police spokesperson said a man with a large knife had lunged at people, causing “nasty” injuries.

Social media posts showed a large number of officers at the scene and a suspect being Tasered.

Three people were taken to hospital with stab injuries. One of the victims suffered “serious” injuries, North West Ambulance Service said.

A 41-year-old man from the Manchester area was initially arrested on suspicion of serious assault but he was later rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism.

Police later said he was detained under the Mental Health Act following an assessment by specialist doctors.