A crossbow attack that occurred in broad daylight in an area popular with students is being investigated as potential terrorist incident after two women were seriously injured.
West Yorkshire Police were called to Otley Road, in Headingley, Leeds, at 2.47pm on Saturday due to reports of a serious incident involving a man who was seen with weapons.
Three people were found to have suffered injuries, including two women who were taken to hospital for treatment, whilst the third a 38-year-old man, was arrested and taken to hospital with a self-inflicted injury.
A crossbow and firearm were recovered from the scene.
Yesterday, Counter Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) North East announced it was taking over the investigation and carrying out “extensive enquiries… to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation”.
Head of CTP North East Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley said: “Although our enquiries are still at a very early stage, the circumstances surrounding this incident have resulted in Counter Terrorism Policing taking the lead for this investigation.
“From the enquiries undertaken so far, there is no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the attack, and, at this time, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.”
Assistant Chief Constable Carl Galvin, of West Yorkshire Police, added: “Clearly this has been a shocking incident and we fully realise the concern it has caused.
“Due to the enquiry being active we are limited in what we can say, but I do want to reassure residents that everything possible is being done to investigate and understand what took place.
“We have an extensive number of uniformed officers deployed in the Otley Road area this evening to reassure residents and continue our enquiries at the crime scenes.
“I also want to thank members of the public for the support they gave victims and the emergency services as we attended the scene.”
He urged people not to speculate online or share information or footage which could affect the investigation which is ongoing.
