ARENA BOMB INJURY TOLL RISES TO 250
POLICE REVEAL RISE IN NUMBER – AS MAYOR ANNOUNCES REVIEW INTO RESPONSE TO BOMB
THE number of people injured in the Manchester Arena bombing has risen to 250 - according to police - with many suffering from the psychological trauma of the attack.
At a press conference today Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said many people present during the Manchester Arena bombing have suffered both physical and mental health problems.
A total of 22 people were killed as they left the Ariana Grande concert. And the senior policeman gave an updated figure on those injured as he spoke at the launch of a new review about how to prevent a future attack by combating extremism.
“Over 250 people were injured that night,” he said. “That number has increased with more people coming forward with psychological injuries as well and physical.”
Stressing his ‘immense pride’ in his officers Mr Hopkins said it was vital to learn lessons from GMP’s response and ‘redouble’ efforts while the national threat level remains severe.
He said ‘mental ill health’ and ‘religious illiteracy’ are both factors which lead to radicalisation and stressed the need for a new approach to tackling extremism.
Counter-terror police are still working to understand how terrorist Salman Abedi was radicalised and what his movements were leading up to the May 22 attack.
Officers are still searching a waste disposal plant in Bury for a blue suitcase which was carried around the city by Abedi in the days before the atrocity.
Terrorism specialists are using ‘diplomatic channels’ in the hope of speaking directly to Abedi’s brother Hashem – who is currently being held by Libyan security forces.
The chief constable was speaking as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham announced details of an Independent Review into the region’s preparedness and response to the terror attack.
As part of the launch, the region’s mayor announced that women and young people would play a vital role in tackling violent extremism.
A new commission will be set up to examine the root causes of violence in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack. It will draw on voices from all of the region’s communities.
The commission – which will work with schools, religious organisations, and youth groups – will also produce clearer guidelines to help people challenge behaviour and better understand the signs of extremism.
It came as Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced a national review of how the authorities dealt with the recent terror attacks. The UK-wide review will be led by senior anti-terror expert David Anderson.
Speaking at the launch of the region’s own independent review into terrorism, Mr Burnham said: “We need to begin a difficult conversation about what more we can do to tackle rising extremism which, sadly, has become a feature of the times we are living in.
“That extremism is to be found in all communities. One of the most difficult aspects of this attack was the fact that the perpetrator grew up here. In my view tackling extremism has got to begin with families and communities.
“We all need to ask what more we can do to identify those who pose a risk to others.”
Mr Burnham said the government’s Prevent scheme – a key part of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy – has ‘lost community buy in.’