Police say shopping center arrest not connected to Manchester attack

Published Tue, May 23 20177:17 AM EDTUpdated Tue, May 23 20177:17 AM EDT

Armed police patrol the Arndale Shopping Centre after the terrorist attack, May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England. An explosion occurred at Manchester Arena as concert goers were leaving the venue after Ariana Grande had performed. Greater Manchester Police are treating the explosion as a terrorist attack and have confirmed 22 fatalities and 59 injured.

Christopher Furlong | Getty Images

Police said they arrested a man at a major shopping center in Manchester that was temporarily evacuated on Tuesday, but do not believe the incident was connected with the attack that killed 22 people in the same northern English city.

"A man has been arrested at the Arndale Centre this is not currently believed to connected to last night's attacks," Greater Manchester Police said on Twitter.

A Reuters witness said police had begun removing the cordon and workers were slowly being allowed back into the center after it was closed earlier on Tuesday.

At least 22 people, including some children, were killed and 59 were wounded when a suicide bomber struck as thousands of fans streamed out of a concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in the English city of Manchester on Monday.