Dramatic pictures emerged of the arrest hours after the massacre that killed at least 22 people, including many children.

Officers made the arrest in Chorlton, south Manchester, moments after Theresa May condemned the "sickening" suicide bomber attack.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: “With regards to the ongoing investigation into last night’s horrific attack at the Manchester Arena, we can confirm we have arrested a 23-year-old man in South Manchester.”

Pictures appear to show cops wearing balaclavas gathered outside a Morrisons supermarket in Chorlton.

Officers can be seen leading away a man in the images that have been posted to social media.

The arrests come after a lone terror attacker detonated an explosive device in ther foyer area of Manchester Arena at around 10.33pm last night.

Thousands of terrified gig-goers – including many children – fled for their lives from what is believed to be a nail bomb.

ARRESTS: Police made the arrest in Chorlton in south Manchester
FIGHT BACK: A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack
RAID: Police wearing balaclavas were seen outside a Morrisons in south Manchester

Also today a controlled explosion was carried out at a house in the Manchester district Fallowfield, while a warrant was carried out in nearby Whalley Range.

Prime Minister Theresa May described it as an "appalling attack" while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded it "horrendous".

She is due to chair an emergency COBRA today as the general election campaign is suspended, before travelling up to Manchester.

Mrs May added that the UK’s threat remains at “severe” – meaning another attack is highly likely.

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said it was "hard to imagine" a worse night in the history of the city.

It is the worst terrorist attack on British soil since the 7/7 bombings in London in 2005.

SHOCKED: An eyewitness watches on as police handcuff a man in south Manchester

Police believe one man, whose identity is known, carried out the attack and died at the scene when the bomb went off.

The bomb exploded in the foyer area of the stadium as hundreds of Ariana Grande fans were leaving the stadium – causing them to run for their lives.

Georgina Callander, 18, has been named as the first victim of the atrocity.

GRAPHIC: A horrific image has been shared from last nights events

Georgina, 18, was among the victims caught up in the deadly blast after watching pop star Ariana Grande perform in front of 21,000 fans.

In her heartrending last tweet, she wrote she was "so excited" to see the American singer and actress on Sunday night – just hours before the carnage unfolded.

The Ariana Grande superfan is said to have died in hospital with her mother at her bedside this morning, a friend told the Evening Standard.

In a seperate incident, Manchester's Royal Exchange Arcade was evacuated just moments after a scare at the city's Arndale Centre.