At lunchtime GMT, Greater Manchester Police arrested a 23-year-old in southwest Manchester in connection with Monday evening’s terror attack at Ariana Grande‘s concert at Manchester Arena.
Greater Manchester Police have since carried out two more arrests in the area, including one in Fallowfield, where police conducted a controlled explosion.
They are currently appealing to anyone who was in the city centre for dash-cam footage taken between 8pm and 11pm Monday evening.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
Police confirmed earlier today that the attack was a suicide bombing, and that the attacker died on site, but have not released details of his identity. They are currently working to establish whether he was working alone or as part of a network.
David Ratcliffe, medical director of North West ambulance service, has confirmed that 12 children under the age of 16 are among the 59 injured in the blast.
A second victim, eight-year-old Safie-Rose Roussos, has been named deceased, after 18-year-old Georgina Bethany Callander. During the attack, Roussos was separated from her mother and sister, who are both currently being treated for shrapnel injuries.
The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has announced arrangements have been made for a vigil in Manchester’s city centre at Albert Square tonight between 6 and 7pm, while the British Red Cross have set up a reception centre at Manchester Etihad stadium to offer “practical and emotional support” to family and friends of attack victims.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 23, 2017
Prime Minister Theresa May has also arrived in Manchester following a press conference this morning outside Downing Street:
“All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people, but this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.”
In Manchester, where May will be meeting victims of the bombing and their carers, she said that the police and others will be working to ensure the safety of people attending music concerts and festivals over the coming summer:
“Well, the police and others will of course be looking at the security of venues to ensure that people can continue to enjoy summer events, feeling secure, and enjoy those events.
What is clear is that we are ensuring that resources are available for the police in order to be able to do the job that they need to do.This was a horrendous attack, absolutely horrific, barbaric in its nature, but what I’m also clear about is that we will not let the terrorists win. Our values will prevail.”
The Metropolitan Police are currently reviewing security plans for London, saying that there will be an increase in officers on patrols in key locations and crowded places, with police potentially patrolling smaller events. Police are also reviewing security operations for sporting events due to take place this weekend at Wembley and Twickenham.
Meanwhile, campaigning for the general election has been suspended, with party leaders expressing their condolences, while the Queen has also issued a statement expressing her “deepest sympathy” to the victims and their families.
