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Manchester stabbings: Suspect's family offers prayers for victims Manchester stabbings: Police sergeant's 'instinct took over'
(about 3 hours later)
The family of a terror suspect arrested over a "frenzied" knife attack in Manchester has said their "thoughts and prayers" are with the three victims. A police officer's "instinct took over" as he faced a terror suspect in a "frenzied" knife attack in Manchester.
The suspect, 25, was detained under the Mental Health Act on Tuesday after being arrested at the city's Victoria railway station on New Year's Eve. Sgt Lee Valentine, who was stabbed in the attack at Victoria station on New Year's Eve, said he had "no idea" what he would face when he heard screams.
In a statement, his family said they were "eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services". Two other people were also stabbed before Sgt Valentine and fellow officers disarmed a man, who has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
They added that they would not be making any further comment. Chief Constable Paul Crowther said they had prevented others "being hurt".
A man and woman in their 50s, who suffered face and stomach injuries in the attack, remain in hospital, while a British Transport Police sergeant, who sustained knife wounds to his shoulder, has since been discharged. Sgt Valentine, who has asked media not to use his picture, had been the first on the scene of the attack, a British Transport Police spokeswoman said.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said a "counter-terrorism investigation remains ongoing" and officers were searching the suspect's home in Cheetham Hill. The officer said the positive public response to his team's action "really does mean the world to us".
"We had no idea what we were running towards when we heard the screams on New Year's Eve," he said.
"When we saw the man wielding a knife, instinct took over and we were able to... successfully detain the male."
'Eternally grateful'
Mr Crowther said the "horrific incident underlines the bravery of our officers, who selflessly ran towards danger".
"Their quick-thinking and outstanding response helped to prevent more passengers being hurt and stands as a testament to the force," he added.
Sgt Valentine was treated in hospital for knife wounds to his shoulder but was later discharged. The injured man and woman, who are both in their 50s, remain in hospital.
The family of the 25-year-old suspect, who was detained under the Mental Health Act on Tuesday, have said their "thoughts and prayers" are with the three victims.
In a statement, they said they were "eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services".
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said a "counter-terrorism investigation remains ongoing" and officers continue to search the suspect's home in Cheetham Hill.
"There is nothing to suggest the involvement of other people in this attack, but confirming this remains a main priority for the investigation," he said."There is nothing to suggest the involvement of other people in this attack, but confirming this remains a main priority for the investigation," he said.
Speaking through a solicitor, the man's family said they were also grateful for "the comfort given to those affected by fellow Mancunians and citizens". Speaking through a solicitor, the suspect's family said they were also grateful for "the comfort given to those affected by fellow Mancunians and citizens".
Detention under the Mental Health ActDetention under the Mental Health Act
Source: NHSSource: NHS
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, former GMP Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said the use of the Mental Health Act to detain the suspect did not stop it "from being a terror attack, particularly for the people involved".Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, former GMP Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said the use of the Mental Health Act to detain the suspect did not stop it "from being a terror attack, particularly for the people involved".
"The big question is why would somebody who has got a mental illness be inspired or incited... to carry out an attack," he said."The big question is why would somebody who has got a mental illness be inspired or incited... to carry out an attack," he said.
"What we know is that people who perhaps have an existing problem in their lives... are particularly vulnerable to be targeted, to be radicalised, and that is why there is much closer working between police and the mental health agencies [while] always respecting patient confidentiality.""What we know is that people who perhaps have an existing problem in their lives... are particularly vulnerable to be targeted, to be radicalised, and that is why there is much closer working between police and the mental health agencies [while] always respecting patient confidentiality."