Bomb victim’s mother fears that lockdown is helping terrorists recruit young people
A woman whose son was killed in the Manchester Arena bomb attack fears terrorists will use the UK’s coronavirus lockdown to radicalise more youngsters.
Martyn Hett, 29, was one of 22 people murdered when Salman Abedi detonated a bomb at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in 2017.
His mother, Figen Murray, is calling on the British government to do more to prevent atrocities.
She said that the many people who were isolated in their homes provided “rich pickings” for terrorist recruiters.
“I’m really worried about young people who have been radicalised in lockdown,” she said. “[Anti-radicalisation programme] Prevent is underrated and gets too much criticism. It is doing a massively important job.
“I would like to see more efforts put in by the government for preventive measures by … educating young people.”
Ms Murray has visited schools, speaking about the impact of the terrorist attack, in an effort to help to prevent another atrocity.
“When I saw the picture of the terrorist who did the arena attack, what got me was the young age of the guy,” she said.
“I thought, ‘why on earth would you throw your life away at such a young age?’
“Surely he was not born a terrorist, what happened along the line for him to change? I felt I needed to plead with young people to be careful about terrorism. I started talking to young people at schools and colleges.”
Speaking during an online seminar on terrorism hosted by the Henry Jackson Society think tank, Ms Murray said listening to the evidence of the Manchester Arena public inquiry had been difficult for her.
“What you hear is just heartbreaking at times, and it is just a very dark time at the moment while it is going on,” she said.
The inquiry is examining the circumstances of the attack and whether any opportunities to prevent it were missed.
It was established by interior minister Priti Patel in October last year and is expected to run until the spring.
Suicide bomber Abedi, 22, died after detonating a rucksack bomb in a foyer area of the arena.
His younger brother Hashem Abedi was convicted last year on 22 counts of murder and jailed for at least 55 years.
The UK has suffered 13 terrorist attacks since July 2007, resulting in the deaths of 95 people, with 463 injured.