A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

The man, from Cheltenham, was arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism contrary to Section 41 of the Terrorism Act (2000), along with on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act (2006).

His arrest is related to the stabbing of a woman outside a leisure centre in Tommy Taylors Lane, Cheltenham, on Thursday (March 9) at around 9.15pm. 

She suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment and remains in a stable condition.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East is leading the investigation, alongside Counter Terrorism Policing South West and officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary.

The man was originally being held on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident.

But he was re-arrested under the Terrorism Act on Friday night (march 10) and yesterday (March 11) a warrant of further detention was obtained to allow officers until Thursday, March 16, to question him.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone of Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: “I would like to reassure those living locally or visiting the county that we believe this was an isolated incident and we are not aware of any wider threat to members of the public.

"We are working closely with our partners in Counter Terrorism Policing.

“We appreciate that an incident of this nature may be concerning and we would encourage people to contact us via 101 with any additional information they may have about the incident.”