Bomber kept two ‘factories’ stocked with items of terror

THE Liverpool terrorist had two bomb factories in the city, it has emerged, as police confirmed they have found “significant items” at both of his addresses.

Emad al-swealmeen, 32, spent eight months stockpiling materials at two properties as he constructed a huge improvised explosive device before blowing up a taxi outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Sunday.

Police said they had found suspicious and significant items at both the flat he rented and the house where he had lived with other asylum seekers.

Counter terrorism detectives, who are still seeking to establish the motive and intended target for the attack, said they had now spoken to members of Swealmeen’s family overseas.

Asst Chief Con Russ Jackson, of Counter Terrorism Police North West, said: “The addresses at Rutland Avenue and Sutcliffe Street continue to be searched and significant items have been found at both. Rutland Avenue remains our main focus.” Police believe that Swealmeen, who died in the attack, had been renting a property in Rutland Avenue since April and making “relevant purchases” for his bomb from that time.

Explosive ordnance disposal officers were called to Sutcliffe Street, where he had previously lived, on Wednesday after suspicious packages were found.

Security guards at the hospital have revealed they raced to lock the doors to prevent anyone getting inside after the explosion. Richie Kawar, 41, was at the hospital when an “hysterical” receptionist alerted the team to the explosion.

Mr Kawar told friends how he rushed to the taxi driven by David Perry after hearing the blast at 10.59am. “When I got there the taxi driver was standing with my colleague, Darren Knowles. He was staring at the car in shock,” he said.

The guards managed to lock the hospital entrance before evacuating people from shops near the reception.

He said the taxi driver “had blood coming out of the side of his head. I think he had shrapnel in his neck.”