Man arrested for Burnley M&S stabbing detained under Mental Health Act

Police were called at about 9.30am yesterday (Wednesday, December 2) to a report of a stabbing inside the store on St James Street in the town.

The 57-year-old local man was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but has now been detained for 28 days under Section 2 of the act for an assessment of his mental health.

He was detained by shoppers and store staff and held down until police arrived.

The victims, a member of staff at the store aged in her 40s and a woman in her 60s, were taken to hospital with serious stab wounds which are not thought to be life-threatening.

One has now been discharged and the other remains in hospital.

The incident is not being treated as a terrorism incident but police have said there will continue to be extra patrols in the town centre to offer reassurance to businesses and shoppers.

Supt Stasia Osiowy, of East Police, said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would like to continue to appeal to members of the public who may have seen or filmed this incident, or who have information which could assist, to get in touch with us.

“Mercifully while the injuries caused in this incident were serious, they are not life threatening and the two women involved are continuing to receive the support of specially trained police officers.

“I would like to stress again this is not being treated as a terrorism incident and we continue to keep an open mind as to motivation of this individual.

“I would like to thank the community for their understanding and co-operation while we dealt with an incident which clearly had the potential to cause a great deal of concern.

“We will continue to update people on the course of our investigation as and when we can and there will continue to be extra patrols in the town centre to reassure."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log 0313 of December 2nd or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.