Counter-terrorism officers are assisting a police investigation into a knife attack in Barnsley town centre which left one man requiring treatment for minor injuries.
A woman had been arrested in connection with the stabbing and a kitchen knife was recovered after the incident on Saturday morning, South Yorkshire police confirmed.
A market trader was being hailed as hero for reportedly confronting the alleged attacker and convincing her to put down the knife, before she was arrested by officers.
The investigation was being led by South Yorkshire police, but Counter Terrorism Policing North East detectives were also involved.
UPDATE: We can confirm that one woman has been arrested following this morning's incident in #Barnsley. She remains in custody. A kitchen knife has been recovered. Please see the latest update below from @SYPTimForber pic.twitter.com/4cDz8YqRtb
— SouthYorkshirePolice (@syptweet) September 8, 2018
The police said they were working to establish whether the stabbing was an isolated incident and whether the perpetrator acted alone. The force confirmed police would maintain a strong presence in the town centre while inquiries took place and extra officers would attend Barnsley football club’s match against Walsall on Saturday afternoon.
Police have asked the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities. Witnesses to the incident have also been asked to contact the force.
The assistant chief constable, Tim Forber, said: “We understand this morning’s incident will have been distressing and shocking for those in the town centre and wider Barnsley commmunities – rest assured we are working relentlessly to piece together what happened.
“A kitchen knife has been recovered by officers and is being forensically examined.
“At this stage, we are keeping an open mind as to the motivation… It is not appropriate to speculate further.”
Earlier on Saturday morning, reports on social media said the town centre was on lockdown and shops had been asked to lock their doors.
Shop workers in Barnsley Interchange station said they saw police rushing around the area at about 8am. Hannah Fuller, 24, said police rushed towards the railway platform, and businesses had been forced to close. “We had to close for an hour – Peel Street was closed. The police haven’t told us anything,” she said.
The Facebook page for Barnsley market said it had closed while police responded to the incident, but it later reopened.
