Police build a ring of steel as Manchester remembers victims
ONE of the country’s biggest ever security operations is planned for this weekend as police in Manchester prepare for more than 130,000 people to attend events across the city.
In a vast undertaking, police have announced they will search all those going to Sunday’s One Love Manchester tribute concert at Lancashire County Cricket Club’s Old Trafford ground, featuring Ariana Grande and other pop stars.
Football fans going to Michael Carrick’s testimonial match earlier in the day at Manchester United’s ground nearby have also been told to expect tight security. Police will throw a ring of steel around both venues with armed officers on hand.
Ch Supt Stuart Ellison, who is in charge of security, urged people to be patient. He said: “Everyone will be searched and this includes bags. We would ask people not to bring bags if they can as this will help speed up entry. We know this can be frustrating but we also know you understand the importance of these checks, so please be patient with staff and officers. This is a time for the people of Greater Manchester, and further afield, to come together and show we are united.”
Almost two weeks on from the terror attack, the police yesterday identified a car that suicide bomber Salman Abedi may have used. The white Nissan Micra was found in the Rusholme district of the city where Abedi was seen repeatedly in the hours before the attack.
A large area, including parts of a hospital
‘This is a time for the people of Greater Manchester to come together and show we are united’
and student halls of residence, had to be evacuated as a 100 yard cordon was erected around the vehicle.
Det Ch Supt Russ Jackson said the find was potentially significant and added: “We are very interested in anything people can tell us about the movements of this car, and who was in it, over the past months.”
The Duke of Cambridge visited Greater Manchester Police HQ to meet officers who were among the first to respond to the bombing.
During a visit to Manchester Cathedral, the Duke wrote in a book of condolence: “Manchester’s strength and togetherness is an example to the world. My thoughts are with all those affected.” He later visited Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he met victims and their families.
Police released footage of Abedi moving around the city with a blue suitcase, which detectives are still trying to trace.
There were reports that a number of people had reported Abedi to the authorities over concerns that he was becoming extremist, but police said they had no record of any calls to their hotline and urged those who had made the claims to get in touch. Ten men, aged between 18 and 44, remain in custody on suspicion of terrorism offences in connection with the attack. Six people were released without charge.
Meanwhile, last night Grande surprised injured youngsters by sitting by their bedside at the Manchester children’s hospital.
Jaden Farrell-mann, 10, who was left with fractures to both her legs and shrapnel wounds from the terror attack and has undergone two operations, said: “I met my queen today, love you Ariana Grande.”