A 21-year-old man has been held on suspicion of attempted murder after a machete attack in front of terrified shoppers in Sheffield city centre on Thursday morning.

The attack happened just before 9.30am and prompted shoppers to run and shop workers to lock their doors.

One woman said she had seen a man holding what she thought was a sword, adding: "We were so scared, we thought he was going to kill everyone.

"The first thing I thought was that it was terrorism."

She said she had hidden in the nearby McDonald's.


"I was just walking to work and I just wanted to get safe," she added. "We went into the restaurant and they locked the doors."

South Yorkshire Police said a man, 47, had been injured but he was not in a life-threatening condition.

Image: The attack happened outside the McDonald's restaurant in Sheffield city centre

Witnesses said he suffered head injuries but was able to walk into an ambulance.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of a knife or bladed article and possession of drugs.

He remains in custody as police investigate the incident, which is not being treated as terrorism.

Another witness, George Speight, from Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire, said he had been in McDonald's when he saw a man with a 15in machete.

"And then there's a bloke running towards me with his face slashed all down one side.

"The manager and me ran towards the door, we locked the door.

"The next thing, the coppers have Tasered (the attacker) and jumped on him."

Asked if the man resisted the officers, he said: "He had no choice because they Tasered him and about eight people jumped on him."

Mr Speight said the attacker "didn't seem in the right frame of mind at all".

A spokesman for McDonald's said: "We can confirm that an incident which started outside our Sheffield High Street restaurant this morning resulted in the police being called and the restaurant being closed to allow them to investigate.

"We are supporting our restaurant team who were working at the time of the incident."

South Yorkshire Police Superintendent Paul McCurry said: "The CCTV operatives in Sheffield spotted a man with a machete.

"As a result they alerted police on the radio and nearby officers were on scene within less than two minutes of the call.

"They quickly detained the offender, placing the safety of the public over their own without hesitation.

"This is a superb example of the bravery of police officers who every day do amazing work to protect the public."