Arndale attack was ‘mental health-related’, says Manchester mayor

Yesterday's Arndale knife attack was likely "mental health-related", Manchester's mayor has said.

"It is important not to jump to conclusions but what I can say is that at this stage, it would appear to be more mental health-related than politically or religiously motivated," Andy Burnham said in a press conference.

Armed police arrested a 40-year-old man for serious assault after three people were stabbed in the Arndale centre yesterday.

Last night, police said he had been detained under the Mental Health Act as counter-terror detectives investigated the attack.

One of the victims has been named as 19-year-old Chloe McGurk, who was in Manchester for a "girly weekend". Friends say she is "on the mend", the Telegraph reports.

Two other victims are also recovering from their injuries, as the shopping centre reopened today, with a new "MCR IS OPEN" sign.

Two bystanders attempted to tackle the knife-wielding attacker to prevent further injury. The pair, a security guard and a member of the public, have been praised for their "enormous bravery" by the city's Deputy Mayor.

One eyewitness told The Manchester Tab: "Loads of shoppers ran out, then he ran out, threw the knife in a bin apparently then legged it. Then the police came out a second later and were like which way did he go?

"I tried to walk around the Arndale cos I need to go to the post office on the other side but everything was shut off.

"When I was walking home I saw a lady crying and people were hugging her so I was like are you ok? And she had seen it all first hand, him running around with a knife."

At the press conference, Andy Burnham said: “As the city returns to normality this morning, Greater Manchester is doing what it always does – which is to respond in a considered way, providing support to those who need it, prosecuting those responsible, and of course learning any lessons that may need to be learned.

“We think first this morning of those recovering from their injuries and I am sure I speak for everybody in Greater Manchester in wishing them a very, very speedy recovery indeed.”

“It is important not to jump to conclusions, but what I can say is that at this stage, it would appear to be more mental health-related than politically or religiously motivated – but of course we need to allow the police to conduct their full inquiries and we keep an open mind on that until that work is complete.”

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Three people have been stabbed at the Manchester Arndale

• 19-year-old woman confirmed as one of the Arndale stabbing victims