Five people were stabbed at a shopping centre in the northern English city of Manchester on Friday and police said counter-terrorism detectives were leading the investigation.

The stabbings took place at the Arndale shopping centre in the heart of the city. The mall was evacuated as armed police rushed to the scene.

“We can confirm that five people have been stabbed and taken to hospital,” Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.

“In these early stages we are keeping an open mind about the motivation of this terrible incident and the circumstances as we know them.

“Given the location of the incident and its nature, officers from Counter Terrorism Police North West are leading the investigation as we determine the circumstances.”

They said a man in his 40s had been arrested at the scene on suspicion of serious assault. Pictures posted on social media showed officers using a stun gun on one man.

David Allinson, director of the mall, told the Manchester Evening News the centre had been evacuated.

The city was the location for Britain’s most deadly militant attack in recent years when a suicide bomber killed 22 people in May 2017 at the end of a pop concert by Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena, not far from the Arndale centre.

However, the police force said it is keeping an open mind about the motivation of the “terrible incidents”.

“A man in his 40s — who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of serious assault — remains in custody for questioning,” the statement said.

The shopping centre was evacuated as police responded to reports of the stabbings.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “Shocked by the incident in Manchester and my thoughts are with the injured and all those affected.

“Thank you to our excellent emergency services who responded and who are now investigating what happened.”

Social media posts show a large number of officers at the scene and the suspect being Tasered.

A shop worker, named Jordan, told the BBC that a man was running around with a knife lunging at multiple people.

David Allinson, centre director of Manchester Arndale, said: “The centre has been evacuated while police investigate the incident.

“We are unable to comment any further as the incident is currently being handled by Greater Manchester Police, who we will continue to support with their investigation.”

There are no reports of fatalities from the incident.

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