Watch out for radicalisation, urges Arena victim’s mother

THE mother of one of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack has warned that terrorism has not gone away and urged teachers to look out for signs of radicalisation.

As Manchester prepares to mark the third anniversary of the Arena suicide bombing with online memorial services tonight, Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was one of 22 people murdered, said that teachers “will need to be very observant” to the signs of potential radicalisation.

Since her son’s death Mrs Murray has visited schools, colleges and universities to discuss radicalisation in an attempt to prevent young people being recruited to extremist groups.

She said teachers must engage the Government’s Prevent counterterror strategy if they have suspicions.

“If somebody has been recruited or radicalised, there are telltale signs in their language and behaviour,” she said. “A lot of teachers will hopefully be well versed in that.”

Mrs Murray added: “Terrorist recruiters are no different to sexual predators. They befriend people, pretend to be the age of the child, get them into a position of friendship and literally groom them. People must not believe terrorism has gone away.”

Twenty-two people died in the bombing three years ago at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.

The bomber, Salman Abedi, died in the blast. His brother, Hashem, helped construct the bomb. He was found guilty of murder this year and is awaiting sentence.