‘We’ll take all steps to keep people safe’
GMP PUTS ARMED OFFICERS ON STANDBY AFTER HORROR ATTACK IN CAPITAL
ARMED officers have been placed on standby as Greater Manchester Police review security following the Westminster terror attack.
Pc Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old married dad, was killed and four others were confirmed dead last night after the incident in the capital. A man is said to have driven a 4x4 into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, including a visiting party of school children from France, sending one woman into the River Thames.
Police confirmed that five people died and at least 40 others were injured in the attack, some said to have been left with ‘catastrophic’ wounds.
A senior police source indicated to the M.E.N. last night that officers in London believed ‘at this stage’ the attack was the work of a single man rather than an organised terror cell.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said there was ‘no specific intelligence suggesting an imminent threat to Greater Manchester.’
He added: “Our sympathies go out to all those affected by the serious events in London. I want to assure the people of Greater Manchester that GMP and its partners will be reviewing all security in light of [yesterday’s] incident.
“Although I think it is important to stress that there is no specific intelligence suggesting an imminent threat to Greater Manchester, we will continue to review our deployments and take all possible steps to keep people safe. It is also incredibly important at times like this that communities come together and support each other. Should anyone have any concerns or see anything suspicious I would urge them to report it immediately.”
Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “Those who think they can use fear, hatred, intimidation and murder to divide us are simply wrong. As a nation we are stronger than them, and in the face of terror they will only make us stronger still, and more determined to work together to build a future of hope.
“I have spoken with the chief constable, and Greater Manchester Police is working hard to keep our communities safe and provide visible reassurance.”
Virgin Trains said last night there were no disruptions to trains travelling between London and Manchester. Passengers are advised to keep checking National Rail live updates. Flights to London from Manchester Airport were not affected yesterday.