A ROYTON teenager has told of her horror after finding herself caught up in the Manchester Arndale stabbing incident.
Mia Power was in Manchester for a careers fair when chaos broke out all around her.
A total of three people were stabbed in the Arndale Centre while a further two were injured in scenes that raised fears of a terrorist attack.
A man is being detained under the Mental Health Act after the incident on Friday, October 12.
Mia, a pupil at Crompton House school who lives close to Tandle Hill Country Park, recalled the fear that spread as chaos broke out.
She said: “We were trying to get into Boots after attending a careers fair as people were flooding out of the Arndale, there were paramedics and armed police parked all over.
“We tried to get to Exchange Square to get a tram out of Manchester but it was cordoned off and we were evacuated out of the area by police.
“The incident was well approached and calmly handled so we didn’t feel alarmed and the emergency services were well represented.
“Every building both in and surrounding the shopping centre was evacuated, so the streets were incredibly busy.
“But the emergency services and security were directing people away from the area with caution and care.”
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said a woman required surgery after being stabbed in her arm, while a 59-year-old man suffered stab wounds to his hand.
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said: “We know that at least one member of staff from the Arndale and a member of the public intervened in the attack and we would like to praise and thank them for their bravery.”
Police also searched a property where the arrested man lived. Officers said they were trying to establish if he had any political, religious or ideological motivation for the attack, although nothing has so far has come to light.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said officials were keeping an “open mind”.
He said: “It’s important not to jump to any conclusions although what I can say is that, at this stage, it would appear to be more mental-health related than political or religiously motivated.”
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Every time we have had an incident of this sort in the city, Manchester shows its resilience, its ability to come together and its determination to get on with business – to get on with life.”
Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor, added: “I want to praise Greater Manchester’s emergency services for their swift and professional action.”