Public asked if they saw bomber in days before horror attack

POLICE have been going door-todoor in Rusholme with a photograph of bomber Salman Abedi, asking people if they saw him in the days before the deadly Arena attack.

Residents said officers were checking if Abedi had been spotted in alleyways or on streets nearby.

The neighbourhood queries came after a raid on Banff Road, a side street in the heart of The Curry Mile, on Monday – a week after the atrocity at Manchester Arena.

A bomb disposal unit was called to a house on Banff Road as searches continued yesterday.

Two streets were sealed off while officers searched a terrace house.

Residents were told to stay in their homes while those outside the cordon were warned to avoid the area.

Explosives experts were scrambled to help GMP as they scoured the inconspicuous red brick property.

Worried neighbours said officers had been stationed at the house since Monday night.

They said police visited their homes the following night with a picture Abedi.

Syed Akil Ali, who has lived on Banff Road for more than 30 years, sent his wife, daughter and grandson away from their home when he saw police seal off the road.

He said: “(The police) have been here since Monday evening. They showed us a picture of him (Abedi) but I didn’t recognise him.

“We saw many police today and they sealed the road so we are now scared. It does make you feel frightened.

“Police have not left since Monday and now they have found something.

“It’s really scary. My neighbour, she’s scared the same as me. It is worrying.”

A student living on the street, who asked not to be named, added: “The police came to our house last night at around midnight. We were asked if we had seen Salman and a fridge