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Two students, both aged 19, were stabbed to death yards from their home as they returned from a post-exam party amid an early-morning rampage in Nottingham.

A man in his fifties was also stabbed to death and a further three people injured when a stolen van was driven into them. The series of attacks began at about 4am close to the city centre.

Police arrested a 31-year-old man from West Africa, who is living in the country legally, and were not looking for any other suspects on Tuesday night.

Barnaby Webber, a talented cricketer from Taunton, was one of the students killed. Detectives believe that Webber, who suffered multiple stab injuries, and his female companion, named locally as Grace Kumar, were attacked first as they walked back to their accommodation. Both attended Nottingham University and lived less than a five-minute walk from the scene.

Witnesses heard a “blood-curdling scream” and said the assailant walked away “as calm as anything” before the third victim was killed about two miles away. Police said the victim’s van was then stolen and used to mow down three pedestrians in the city centre at about 5.30am. One man is in a critical condition in hospital; the two other people hit suffered minor injuries.

Kate Meynell, the chief constable of Nottinghamshire, said the police were keeping an open mind about the motive. Counterterrorism officers were immediately brought in to help to carry out a series of raids in the city, but the incident has not been declared terrorism-related and the suspect’s mental health is being examined.

The suspect, who was not on the security services’ radar, was stopped by the police minutes after the vehicle ramming. He was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder. Footage of the arrest showed him next to a white van, which has been linked to the attacks.

Suella Braverman, the home secretary, said she was shocked and saddened by the incident but said the police needed time and space to determine the motive. She said: “It’s right that Nottinghamshire police are working with Counterterrorism Policing. But it’s also fair to say that everybody and all professionals on the front line are keeping an open mind as to what the precise motive might have been.”

The Times understands that the suspect did not have a criminal record. He had been in the UK for many years, since at least his teens, and was a resident but not a citizen. He had settled status, which means he had permission to stay for several years.

Nottingham University confirmed that two students had been killed. It flew its flag at half mast and directed its students to emotional support. Shearer West, the vice-chancellor, said the university was “deeply shocked and saddened” and offered condolences.

Webber, who was known as Barney to his friends, was a member of the university cricket team.

Phil Robson, his grandfather, spoke outside the family home as relatives gathered to comfort each other. He said: “It’s a tragedy. We are still unsure what has gone on at the moment. Barnaby’s parents are with officers from Nottinghamshire police and we’ve been told not to make any comment until we know more. Perhaps in a day or two we can say more.”

Amelia Manning, a friend of Webber, paid tribute to him on Instagram alongside a black and white image. She wrote: “RIP Barney. You are always loved and got a special place in my heart xx”.

One student, who did not wish to be named, told The Times: “My friend was his flatmate. They were pretty close. They were more like family. She told me about Barney this morning. She went home after hearing the news. It’s hit her hard.”

A witness said they cried for help as they tussled with a black man, who was wearing dark clothing and a hood. Fellow students said they had been walking home from a nightclub near by, which closed at 3.30am, after an end-of-term party.

The identity of the third victim, and the nature of his injuries, had not been released last night. Miklos Toldi, 37, who was taking his wife to work when he found him lying on the side of the road, said he saw stab wounds.

Rishi Sunak was being kept updated, Downing Street said. The prime minister tweeted: “I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham.” Local MPs said that Nottingham had been “devastated by the deaths”, and President Macron of France said he shared “the grief of our British friends and stands by their side”.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said he joined “with everyone praying for all those affected, for grieving families and friends”.

Meynell reassured the public that the city centre was safe to visit: “We do have a man in custody who has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Currently we do not believe there is anyone else involved in this incident. It is safe to go into the city centre but there are a number of streets that will remain closed.”

A first-year student at Nottingham Trent University, who did not want to be named, said: “It was so busy last night still at 3.30am. It was the final day for everyone. There was an all-day festival at Bink’s Yard and then everyone went to Prism [a nightclub].

“It always seems safe walking down here because there are so many students. This is pretty much where every student lives. We are so used to police around here. The sirens are constant so you don’t think anything of it.”

A spokesman for Nottingham University said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight. We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends.”

“We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community. Support is available through our support and wellbeing services for any of our community who may need it.”