Dramatic moment shoppers flee Manchester’s Arndale Centre in tears after cops swoop to arrest suspect ‘over false alarm’
ARNDALE shopping centre in Manchester was evacuated today and a man arrested over a false alarm.
The area around the shopping centre, which was famously bombed by the IRA 21 years ago, was been cordoned off.
Around 300 people ran as fast they could out of the building's West exit as armed cops descended on the area.
Shoppers and staff were seen streaming out of the building in dramatic footage posted online.
Some people were running, while others were in tears.
Police confirmed they had made an arrest, tweeting: “A man has been arrested at the Arndale Centre.
“This is not currently believed to connected to last night’s attacks.”
Videos and pictures posted to social media claim to show cops arresting the suspect, although these have not yet been verified.
Shop workers lined the streets in groups as M&S staff handed out name tags to count up their work force.
A woman in her early 40s who was shaking said a man acted angrily at being arrested and started smashing glass.
She said: "It was horrible – he started smashing glass and armed police turned up.
"People ran, they thought it was happening again."
July McKenzie, who was shopping when the centre was evacuated told of the moment people were ordered out.
She said: "We were just in the shop and could hear people screaming and security guards telling everybody to get out."
A Reuters witness said police had now begun removing the cordon and workers were slowly being allowed back into the centre.
The incident came as Manchester was still on high alert following a suicide bombing at a concert by Ariana Grande in the city last night.
At least 22 people were killed and 59 wounded when a suicide bomber detonated a device in the packed Manchester Arena.
Witnesses told of seeing shards of metal tearing into concert-goers in the foyer area of the world-famous concert venue – leaving dozens lying in pools of blood.
James Corden last night paid an emotional tribute to the city of Manchester and its people in the wake of what cops have confirmed was a suicide bombing.
Harry Styles, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry are among the dozens of celebs to have joined the Late Late Show host in sending their thoughts and prayers to the victims of the attack.