There will be no more live updates on the Manchester Arndale stabbings.

For more information, please read the full BBC News story.

The Manchester Arndale shopping centre remains closed this evening following today's stabbing incident.

Friday evening commuters may experience delays tonight following the earlier incident at the Arndale Centre.

The tram tracks at Exchange Square, right in the heart of Manchester city centre, remain blocked.

Rochdale - East Didsbury services will be operating via Market Street and Shudehill only and will not call at Exchange Square.

Image source, David Dixon/ Geograph

Four people have been injured - one seriously - after a number of stabbings at Manchester's Arndale Centre.

Image source, Getty Images

A witness described seeing "a man running around with a knife lunging at multiple people" shortly after 11:15.

The shopping centre was evacuated as police detained a suspect.

A 19-year-old woman and another woman were both taken to hospital with stab injuries and their condition was described as stable.

A man in his 50s was also treated for stab wounds, while a woman in her 40s was treated by paramedics at the scene but was not stabbed.

A fifth person presented at hospital with a superficial wound but did not require treatment

A man, 41, is being held on suspicion of terror offences.

Assistant chief constable Russ Jackson says the incident was "bound to bring back memories of the awful events of 2017", referencing the Manchester Arena attack in which 22 people died.

Image source, PA Media

He adds that Operation Plato - the response for dealing with a marauding terror attack - was initially declared today, but it was reduced from that status shortly afterwards.

Continuing with his statement, assistant chief constable Russ Jackson, says: "At this time we do not believe that there is anyone else involved in this attack but we will be constantly keeping this under review.

"We'll have increased patrols, including armed patrols, in the city centre this weekend.

"This is to reassure people, but we do not believe there is a wider threat at this time and we are hoping to return the city to normality by tomorrow morning."

"We do not know the motivation for this terrible attack," says assistant chief constable Russ Jackson.

"It appears random, is certainly brutal and of course extremely frightening for anyone who witnessed it."

Assistant chief constable Russ Jackson says both armed and unarmed officers responded to the incident "quickly".

"Within five minutes he [the alleged attacker] was challenged and detained by armed officers on Market Street outside the Arndale Centre."

The man was initially arrested for serious assaults.

"He was taken to police custody and has now been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism," Mr Jackson says.

"We have arrested the man, a male in his 40s, on suspicion of terrorism because of the nature and circumstances of this attack."

All five people injured in multiple stabbings at the Manchester Arndale shopping centre this morning are thought to be shoppers Greater Manchester Police says.

Image source, Greater Manchester Police

Giving a statement on the events, Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said: "At 11.15 am this morning, a man entered the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester city centre.

"He was armed with a large knife and as he entered Exchange Court began lunging, attacking people with the knife.

"Two unarmed police community support officers were in Exchange Court and attempted to confront the attacker

"He then chased them with the knife as they were calling for urgent assistance

"The man attacked people around him and we understand five people were injured by him.

"Although the injuries are nasty, we are told that, thankfully, none are life-threatening."

Five people have now been confirmed as injured in a multiple stabbing in Manchester city centre this morning.

Two women, including a 19-year-old, are in a stable condition in hospital, while a man in his 50s is also being treated in hospital for stab wounds, police said.

One patient suffered "serious" injuries, North West Ambulance Service said.

A further injured person has since attended hospital with injuries.

Police said the man arrested is 41-year-old male from Manchester.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Police have confirmed the Arndale centre suspect was rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism.

The man was originally held on suspicion of serious assault.

News correspondent Danny Savage says there are still police cars around the Arndale Centre and forensics officers are carrying out tests.

"But beyond that, Manchester is carrying on as normal," he says.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

A police statement is expected shortly.

The man held following the incident at Manchester Arndale Centre has been arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism, Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson says.

A man in his 40s has been detained after four people were injured in a knife attack at the Arndale Centre in Manchester city centre.

The suspect has been arrested on suspicion of serious assault, police have confirmed.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said counter-terror officers were "keeping an open mind" as investigations continue.

Police are reducing the cordon around Manchester Arndale centre after a series of stabbings which left four people injured.

While the centre remains closed, nearby roads such as Withy Grove and Corporation Street have reopened.

This is the scene now outside the Manchester Arndale shopping centre.

At least 100 people are queuing to go back in after the site was closed due to a multiple stabbing this morning.

A man in his 40s has been arrested after four people were injured.