Armed police deployed in UK over long weekend

LONDON From beaches to trains to sports events – armed police have been deployed across the country as Britons prepare to enjoy three days off in the shadow of Monday’s terror attack in Manchester that claimed 22 lives.

The FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Wembley Stadium was among the over 1,000 public events scheduled across the country over the bank holiday weekend in warm and sunny weather, providing many a way to emerge from the anguish caused by the attack.

As counter-terrorism operations continue, the police said 11 men remained in custody in connection with the attack, including two latest arrests of men aged 20 and 22. Prime Minister Theresa May chaired another meeting of the government emergency committee (“Cobra”) on Saturday.

Grief has given way to calls for unity in Manchester and elsewhere, but the town has also seen an upsurge in hate crime, particularly against the Muslim community. Schools, mosques and individuals have been targeted.

Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins said: “Manchester has come together this week and it is important we continue to stand together, particularly in relation to hate filled views that have no place in Greater Manchester.

“Sadly, we have seen an increase in reports of hate incidents from 28 on Monday, which is what we receive on an average day, to 56 on Wednesday,” he said.

Hopkins said he sent a message to all faith leaders and places of worship, thanking them for the support shown and stressing that hate crime will not be tolerated.

According to Scotland Yard’s top assistant commissioner Mark Rowley, “immense” progress had been made in the investigation into a suspected network linked to suicide bomber Salman Abedi. But there were still “important” lines of inquiry and urged the public to “go out as planned and enjoy yourselves”.