© PA GMP says: 'We are keeping an open mind about the motivation of this terrible incident'

A man has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after three people were stabbed at a shopping centre in Manchester.

The suspect - who was armed with a "large knife" - entered Exchange Court in the Arndale at 11.15am on Friday.

He began "lunging and attacking people" with the weapon before being confronted by two unarmed police community support officers.

© PA Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that three people were stabbed at the Arndale centre. Pic: @GrizzleMarine/PA Wire

"He then chased them with the knife while they were calling for urgent assistance. The man began attacking people around him," Greater Manchester Police's Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson told reporters.

Mr Jackson confirmed that five people were injured, adding: "Although the injuries are nasty, we are told that thankfully, none of them are life-threatening."

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has earlier said that one patient suffered "serious" injuries.

Mr Jackson said the attacker's motivation is currently not known, but the police do believe he was acting alone.

The senior officer acknowledged that the "frightening" attack was likely to bring back memories of the "awful events of 2017", when a suicide bomber killed 22 people by detonating a device at an Ariana Grande concert at nearby Manchester Arena.

© PA Police outside the Arndale Centre in Manchester

Footage from the Arndale showed an officer pointing a Taser at a man lying on his front on the ground, apparently struggling, with a second officer kneeling on top of him.

Different video showed him being dragged away by officers.

Describing the victims, a GMP spokesperson said: "A 19-year-old woman was taken to hospital with stab wounds. Another woman was also taken to hospital with stab injuries. Both their conditions are described as stable.

"A man in his 50s has also been taken to hospital with stab wounds.

"A fourth victim - a woman in her 40s - who was not stabbed - has been assessed and did not need to go to hospital following assessment by paramedics."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "Shocked by the incident in Manchester and my thoughts are with the injured and all those affected. Thank you to our excellent emergency services who responded and who are now investigating what happened."

Shocked by the incident in Manchester and my thoughts are with the injured and all those affected. Thank you to our excellent emergency services who responded and who are now investigating what happened. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 11, 2019

NWAS said a "large number" of staff and 13 ambulances were sent to the shopping centre, and its crews were stood down just before 2pm.

Four hazardous area response vehicles, two advanced paramedics, two doctors and two officers also went to the scene.

Zaid Alrashdi, who works in a fruit shop in the centre, said he "heard people screaming" at about 11.15am.

He described seeing a woman "crying and screaming" in a corner, and saw police outside a Starbucks. Armed officers arrived soon afterwards and urged everyone to leave.

A shop worker, who gave his name only as Jordan, 23, described a man "running around with a knife lunging at multiple people" - and said someone had come into the store "visibly shaken with a small graze".

He added: "Soon after, security staff told all retail staff to close their doors and move the public to the back of the stores."

Jordan, who has only been working at the centre for a few months, said the attack took place on the ground floor.

Freddie Houlder, 22, from Market Drayton was in the Arndale centre when he heard "a load of screams just outside" the shop he was in.

He said a woman then came into the shop and told others "a guy just ran past the shop and tried to stab me".

© Other Emergency services at the scene of the incident Mr Houlder added: "Luckily she had quite a thick jacket - she thought originally it was a fake knife because of how easily it grazed off but police came in and said it was a real knife and she burst into tears.

"I definitely don't think it was gang violence because this guy was going around trying to stab random people, I believe."

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: "Very concerned by the incident in Manchester. My thoughts are with those affected. I am, as always, very grateful to the police for running towards danger to keep us safe. Now important they are given space to carry out their investigation."

Very concerned by the incident in Manchester. My thoughts are with those affected. I am, as always, very grateful to the police for running towards danger to keep us safe. Now important they are given space to carry out their investigation. — Priti Patel MP (@patel4witham) October 11, 2019

Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester's deputy mayor for policing, said the scene had been secured and praised the city's emergency services for their "swift and professional action".

Councillor Nigel Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, thanked police and urged people to stay away from the scene.

Exchange Court reopened to the public not long after 5pm.