Poor links between police and fire crews delayed the response

A MAJOR report into the emergency response to the Manchester Arena attack highlighted poor communication between police and firefighters, but said it would be for the coroner to decide whether the resulting delays had cost lives.

The 226-page report by Lord Bob Kerslake found Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were effectively “outside of the loop” as the incident unfolded.

Firefighters – some of whom heard the bomb go off and were trained in first-aid and terror scenarios with specialist equipment – did not get permission to go to the scene until two hours later.

“Strategic oversights” by Greater Manchester Police commanders also led to confusion over whether an “active shooter” was on the loose in the city.

The report, commissioned by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, sought to assess the preparedness and emergency

LORD KERSLAKE: Report said Manchester Fire and Rescue was left ‘outside the loop.’ response to the suicide bombing on May 22 last year.

A panel of experts made 50 recommendations, including a review of communications links between emergency services in Manchester, increased Government support for public first-aid training programmes and a review of Ministry of Defence procedures for authorising military assistance to civilian authorities.

ATROCITY: The targeting of fans of the singer Ariana Grande was branded an attack on women and girls. The pop star returned to the city weeks later to stage the One Love benefit concert.