Armed police on trains and at stations
HUNDREDS OF troops will return to the streets of major cities across the UK today as security is stepped up in response to Monday’s attack in Manchester.
It follows a decision by security officials to raise the terrorism threat level from “severe” to “critical” amid concerns that the perpetrator of the bombing was not acting alone.
Almost a thousand soldiers were deployed to guard key locations yesterday, with patrols seen outside Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, as well as major stations and airports.
Their numbers could increase to around 5,000 over the coming days, with Home Secretary Amber Rudd describing the move as a “temporary” response to an “exceptional situation”.
The decision to call on military support was announced by the Prime Minister late on Tuesday night, following a meeting of the Cobra committee.
It led to accusations that the army was being used to make up for a shortage of armed police officers, particularly in areas CLAIMS THAT the Manchester bomber may have travelled to Syria could spark fresh scrutiny of how authorities manage extremists returning from conflict zones.
Full details of Salman Abedi’s movements overseas and the circumstances of his arrival back in the UK are yet to be confirmed officially.
But the reports underline outside of London. Speaking yesterday, Ms Rudd denied these suggestions, as she claimed that the strategy – known as Operation Temperer –was “established” protocol.
“[Police] have been given the support, the training the investment needed in order to increase the amount of armed police officers,” she said.
“This is an exceptional situation... [it] calls for additional action, additional research and additional reassurance.”
Ms Rudd also confirmed that the Government would be pumping more money into its Prevent counter-radicalisation strategy following calls for the programme to be “strengthened”.
Despite his previous criticisms of the strategy, the former independent reviewer of terrorism the major challenge faced by counter-terror agencies in preparing for the return of hundreds of young Britons who travel to fight alongside Islamic State.
Around 850 UK-linked individuals who are “of national security concern” have gone to fight in Syria, according to figures published by the Government last year.
Just under half are believed to have returned to the UK, while legislation, David Anderson QC, yesterday claimed it could provide “the long term solution” to the challenges presented by extremism.
Responding to his comments, Ms Rudd stated that the Government around 15 per cent of those are dead. However, it is likely these numbers will have changed to some degree since they were first circulated.
In particular, they may not reflect any spike in returns as a result of the mounting military pressure on IS.
In November, a report by Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, said: “If IS is defeated or severely weakened in Syria/Iraq by the coalition forces, will be going ahead “with an uplift” of Prevent after next month’s election in order to improve its effectiveness.
Asked if this meant more money, she said: “Absolutely, I already proposed that a number of there may be an increased rate in the return of foreign fighters and their families from the region to the EU or to other conflict areas, such as Libya.
“Those who manage to enter the EU will pose a potential security risk for the Union. Given the high numbers involved, this represents a significant and longterm security challenge.”
Born and raised in Manchester, Abedi grew up in a Muslim household and became months ago and we will be going ahead with that”
The Home Secretary also dismissed suggestions that the programme has undermined trust in Muslim communities, as she praised the programme’s “good work”.
A number of organisations and politicians – including Naz Shah, defending Bradford West MP – have raised concerns about the current strategy creating an atmosphere of “them and us”.
However, Ms Rudd stressed that in the last year alone Prevent has stopped 150 people from travelling to Syria, 50 of whom were children. “There were 142 community organisations working in communities. I’ve been to visit some of them to stop young people becoming radicalised. They do good work,” she said. a university dropout. The 22-year-old has “proven” links with Islamic State, according to France’s interior minister.
Gerard Collomb told French television that both British and French intelligence services had information that Abedi had been in Syria.
Mr Collomb said: “All of a sudden he travelled to Libya and then most likely to Syria, became radicalised and decided to commit this attack.” RAIL PASSENGERS will see more armed police on trains and at stations following the Manchester attack.
British Transport Police (BTP) is deploying additional officers amid the UK terror threat level rising to critical.
The force insisted the measure does not mean there is “any specific intelligence” relating to the rail network or that there is an increased risk of travelling by train.
BTP Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said: “Over the coming days we’ll be keeping a close eye to keep you safe, as well as making sure the nation’s railways keep functioning as usual.
“I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone to stay calm, be vigilant, and if you spot anything at all which gives you cause for concern, let us know.
“In light of the dreadful events over these last few days, and last night’s increase to the national threat level, nothing should be considered too trivial to report and any information, regardless of whether you feel it is significant or not, may be important to all of us.”
The blast happened at Manchester Arena, which is attached to Manchester Victoria station.