Call it a lone wolf attack if you want, but Islam is the motivating factor…
Anti-terror officers are called in after man knifes Marks & Spencer worker in her 40s and shopper in her 60s as police praise passers-by who grabbed attacker before he could stab again
- Victims rushed to hospital after stabbing inside Marks & Spencer in Burnley
- Injuries described as ‘serious but not life threatening’ after the incident today
- Lancashire Police arrested a local man, 57, on suspicion of attempted murder
Anti-terror police were today called in after a man stabbed a Marks & Spencer worker and a shopper just hours after all ‘non-essential’ stores reopened in England.
A 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the attack in Burnley at around 9.30am and remains in custody, Lancashire Police said.
The two women, a Marks & Spencer employee in her 40s and a shopper in her 60s, were rushed to hospital with serious knife injuries which are not thought to be life threatening.
Officers said the stabbing was not being treated as a terrorist incident, although counter-terror detectives were leading the investigation due to comments made at the scene.
A force spokesperson also praised members of the public who detained the suspect at the scene for their ‘brave actions’.
The knife attack came as shoppers flocked back to the High Street after the national coronavirus lockdown was lifted and all shops reopened on ‘Wild Wednesday.’
Footage from the scene captured a man in a face mask being detained by officers outside the Marks & Spencer store this morning.
Witnesses claimed one of the women was stabbed in the neck during the attack, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Lancashire Police said a knife was recovered from the scene following what is believed to be an ‘isolated incident.’
