A police officer stabbed in the shoulder during a New Year's Eve attack in Manchester has said "instinct took over" as he and colleagues ran towards the sound of screaming.

Lee Valentine, a British Transport Police (BTP) sergeant in his 30s, was among four officers on the scene who detained a suspect.

He was one of three people injured at Manchester Victoria station, with a couple in their 50s also suffering serious but not life-threatening stab wounds.

A 25-year-old man has been detained under the Mental Health Act and is now in a secure medical facility.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are "increasingly confident" the man acted alone in the final stages of Monday night's attack, which is being treated as terror-related.


Image: A triple stabbing occurred around 9pm on New Year's Eve. Pic: @Clack_Sam

Sergeant Valentine, who was treated in hospital but later released, said: "The past 48 hours have been overwhelming.

"My team and I are grateful to everyone who sent in messages of support - it really does mean the world to us.

"We had no idea what we were running towards when we heard the screams on New Year's Eve.

"When we saw the man wielding a knife, instinct took over and we were able to, in company with Travel Safe Officers from Metrolink, successfully detain the male."

Top police officer praises his 'heroes'

BTP chief constable Paul Crowther described the officers who apprehended the suspect as "heroes" who prevented a "tragedy of far greater proportions".

He told Sky News: "They heard the commotion and responded immediately to it, they were on scene in seconds and, thankfully, they brought the individual under control really quickly.

"I'm convinced they averted a tragedy of far greater proportions than we saw."

He added: "I've spoken to the officers and I know they think what they did is just part of the job.

"But I think what they did was outstanding. They didn't have time to assess, they were virtually on top of this incident as it occurred and they moved forward instinctively.

"All their training kicked in and they dealt with it selflessly with no regard for their own safety."

Image: Police searched a house where it is believed the suspect had been staying

The family of the man arrested following the triple stabbing earlier sent their "thoughts and prayers" to those injured.

In a statement, the arrested man's family said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were seriously injured, their families and friends.

"We are also eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services and the comfort given to those affected by fellow Mancunians and citizens.

"We are acutely aware that many, including within the media, may well have many questions to ask us.

"However, we have been informed by the GMP that there is an active ongoing, terrorist investigation and as such we are limited in what we can say at this stage.

"We do not wish to make any further comment at this time."

The suspect is being held on suspicion of attempted murder.

A GMP spokesperson said: "The investigation has moved at a very fast pace and detectives are increasingly confident that the man acted alone in the final stages of the attack.

"The investigation will continue and will examine if anybody may have encouraged or assisted the man to commit the attack.

"In the coming months whilst the man is detained and being assessed under the Mental Health Act, the investigation will carry on as usual searching for evidence and investigators will be consulting with medical specialists and the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to any potential criminal prosecution."

Officers are continuing to support the couple injured in the attack, with the man said to have made "some good progress" and expected to be released from hospital in the "next day or so".

"His partner is also making progress but is expected to be in hospital for longer," the GMP spokesperson added.

Police have finished their search of a property in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester following the attack.

:: Anyone who witnessed the incident or knows anything that may assist the investigation is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 3400. Those with footage are asked to send it to FIB@gmp.police.uk.