Two women were hurt in a double stabbing attack in the St James Street M&S store in Burnley at 09:30 GMT yesterday according to Lancashire Police.
Supt Stasia Osiowy praised the “brave actions” of passers-by, who detained a 57-year-old man, who was then arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
She said the attack was “not being treated as a terrorism incident, but due to some comments made at the scene, counter-terrorism detectives will be leading on the investigation”.
Detectives were “keeping an open mind as to motivation”, she said, but were “considering the mental health background” of the arrested man.
Supt Osiowy thanked “members of the public who acted very quickly, and without regard to their own safety, in order to detain the attacker”.
“Without their brave actions, this incident, while serious, could have been so much worse,” she said.
The force spokesman said the two women, a staff member in her 40s and a customer in her 60s, had “thankfully” not been seriously injured.
A Marks & Spencer spokesman said the company was “incredibly grateful” to the emergency services and pleased both victims were “now in good care”.
“Our focus is on ensuring that our colleagues in Burnley receive all the support they need,” he added.
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