UPDATE: Man Arrested Over Triple Stabbing Is Detained Under Mental Health Act
Police have searched the home of a terror suspect accused of carrying out a “frenzied” New Year’s Eve stabbing in Manchester which left three people hurt.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the 25-year-old is being held on suspicion of attempted murder after a couple were left with serious injuries.
A police officer was also stabbed as he tried to stop the suspect.
GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, said: “Last night we experienced a horrific attack on people out to simply enjoy the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Manchester.
“We are treating this as a terrorist investigation which is being led by counter terrorism officers with support from Greater Manchester Police.”
The suspect lived in the Cheetham Hill area of the city and counter-terrorism officers were at his address on Tuesday afternoon.
Neighbour, Nousha Babaakachel, said a Somali family live at the address, a mother and father of five in their forties who came to live in the street around 12 years ago from the Netherlands.
Mrs Babaakachel, 40, said two of the four sons are at university, one works at Manchester Airport and the youngest is back in Somalia.
They also have a daughter and both parents attend the local Khiza Mosque.
During the attack on Monday night, two commuters – a man and woman in their 50s – were taken to hospital with knife injuries and a British Transport Police (BTP) officer was stabbed in the shoulder.
The suspect was heard to shout “Allah” and “Long live the Caliphate!” during the incident.
The station is next to Manchester Arena, where suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people on May 22.
A police spokesman said there would be a greater police presence around the station on Tuesday, but added there was no increased threat to people’s safety.
Sam Clack, a BBC producer, was on a platform at Manchester Victoria waiting for a tram home when he witnessed the attack.
The 38-year-old said: “I just heard this most blood-curdling scream and looked down the platform.
“What it looked like was a guy in his 60s with a woman of similar age and another guy all dressed in black.
“It looked like they were having a fight but she was screaming in this blood-curdling way.
“I saw police in high-vis come towards him.
“He came towards me. I looked down and saw he had a kitchen knife with a black handle with a good 12-inch blade.
“It was just fear, pure fear.”
Clack said police officers used a Taser and pepper spray before “six or seven” officers jumped on the man and held him down.
He said he heard the suspect saying: “As long as you keep bombing other countries this sort of shit is going to keep happening.”
Police have asked anyone with footage of the incident to send it to FIB@gmp.police.uk and if they have any information that might assist the investigation to contact them on 0161 856 3400.