Police chief urges vigilance after terror attack
THE chief constable of Leicestershire Police has urged communities to remain vigilant in the wake of the Manchester terror attack.
Young children are among the dead following an attack at the Manchester Arena as concert goers made their way home from an Ariana Grande show.
Greater Manchester Police said 22 people had been killed and another 59 injured in the attack at around 10.30 on Monday night.
At the time of going to press three of the victims had been named as 16-year-old Georgina Callendar, Saffie Roussos, aged eight, and John Atkinson, 26.
Simon Cole, chief constable of Leicestershire Police urged the public to remain vigilant.
He said: “Our thoughts are with the families of those who died and were injured in last night’s appalling and shocking incident.
“We are also thinking of our colleagues in Greater Manchester Police who, together with the other emergency services, ran towards danger to help the public.
“Although there is no specific threat to Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, it is important that we are all alert and aware of their surroundings.
“Together we can fight terrorism and make our communities safer.
“We want to hear from anyone who sees anything suspicious, be it a vehicle, package or person. Rely on your instinct about whether something is suspicious – we would always prefer you to call us if you are in any doubt.
“You can also call the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline - 0800 789 321. It is staffed around the clock by specialist counter-terrorism police officers and staff.“
The explosion rocked the Manchester Arena as concert goers, many of them children, left to be met by parents.
Witnesses said the explosion happened in the foyer of the venue.
Greater Manchester Police said this morning they believed the attack was carried out by a lone suicide bomber who had died in the blast.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the killer was working alone or as part of a wider cell.
St Mary’s Church in Hinckley posted a prayer to its Facebook page for all those caught up in the attack.
It read: “We are horrified as we hear of destruction and dearth in Manchester.
“We pray for all who are victims, those who suffer at this time and those whose lives have been taken.
“Hold up within your love, the victims, the families, the emergency services and all who are affected.”
Suleman Nagdi, spokesman of the Federation of Muslim Organisations in Leicester, said: “The federation is deeply devastated to hear the news of last night’s explosion which targeted concert goers at the Manchester Arena. So far, 22 of our citizens have died and 59 have been injured.
“Whilst the full facts have yet to emerge and an investigation is ongoing, whatever the motivation, murder can never be justified.
A 23-year-old man was arrested in Manchester in connection with the incident yesterday.