Britain appears to be on the edge in the wake of Monday night’s terror attack in Manchester that killed 22 people, including children and injured 120 others.
Prime Minister Theresa May announced, Tuesday night, troops are to be deployed in Britain’s streets amid fears a further terror attack “may be imminent”.
No fewer than three public facilities were hurriedly evacuated, on Tuesday, in preemptive moves by security officials.
Also, the English Football Association is working with authorities to carry out a full review of security and policing at Wembley, as the national stadium prepares to host three matches in three days, including the FA Cup final.
Intelligence agencies fear the suicide bomber may not have acted alone – leaving open the possibility of an active Islamist terror cell on the loose.
Britain’s Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, Monday night, raised the terror threat level to ‘critical’, its highest level.
The threat level has only been raised to “critical” twice since the system was introduced in August 1, 2006.
A vigil in Birmingham for the Manchester Arena victims was interrupted after a man apparently armed with a large knife and a baseball bat was detained nearby.
Birmingham held a candle-lit vigil to show solidarity with the victims of last night’s terror attack in Manchester.
The armed man shouted out as he was handcuffed by officers, just a short distance from where 1,000 people had gathered in the city’s main Victoria Square. He was taken away in a riot car.
Speakers who had been paying tribute to the Manchester victims were interrupted by the man’s protest from down a side street.
Police, including armed response officers, then cleared the square a short time later.
The evacuation of the square was carried out as a precaution by police, West Midlands chief constable David Thompson confirmed.
Similarly, buildings were briefly evacuated at Salford University in Manchester after a suspicious package was found on campus.
Students – including several taking their final exams – were ordered to leave after the package was found on the campus, the Manchester Evening News reports.
It was later confirmed that the item was not dangerous, and a planned fashion show at the university will go ahead on campus tonight as planned.
The object was found on a bench close to the library.
A tweet from the university said: “Buildings being evacuated on Peel Park campus; New Adelphi, Lady Hale and Clifford Whitworth library. Please follow instructions from staff.”
Earlier in the morning, Manchester’s Arndale shopping centre was evacuated, amid fears of a bomb in the food court.
Dramatic footage had shown crowds of people screaming and sprinting from the shopping mall.
Witnesses have reported hearing a “big bang” at the giant shopping centre.
One woman who was inside reported members of staff running through the foyer screaming at people to evacuate.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that a suspicious package may have been found in the food court.
Armed police immediately arrived the scene and the entire complex was put under lockdown.
Reports say the authorities are working with the Football Association to ensure they are fully prepared if the matches are targeted, when they host hundreds of thousands of fans across the Bank Holiday weekend.
Arsenal play Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, the following day the League Two playoff final between Blackpool and Exeter will be contested and on Monday Huddersfield Town face Reading in the Championship’s equivalent.
Amidst the backdrop of a severe threat level, the Met Police have vowed to increase the number of armed officers at the stadium. The number of police officers at locations and preventative tactics used will continually change to avoid predictability, the Met said.
Commander Jane Connors said: “Here in London we are determined to do all we can to protect the Capital. That means that over the coming days as you go to a music venue, go shopping, travel to work or head off to the fantastic sporting events you will see more officers – including armed officers.
“We are used to delivering policing operations that seek to mitigate against the severe threat we face from terrorists. It is only right that we now take time to review those existing plans and make sure we are confident that we are doing all we can.”
An FA spokesman said: “Fan safety is of paramount importance and we have robust security measures in place at Wembley Stadium. In collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and the local authorities there will be an enhanced security operation for all upcoming events.
“All supporters are encouraged to arrive for events at Wembley Stadium as early as possible for security checks and to avoid any delays in entering the stadium.”
Meanwhile, authorities have named the suicide bomber as 22-year-old Salman Abedi. He died at the scene and police carried out a controlled explosion at what is believed to be his home during raids around the city, on Tuesday.
ISIS have since claimed responsibility for the attack, describing Abedi as one of its soldiers.
The statement by ISIS read: “With Allah’s grace and support, a soldier of the Khilafah managed to place explosive devices in the midst of the gatherings of the Crusaders in the British city of Manchester.”
It further explained the attack was “revenge for Allah’s religion… in response to their transgressions against the lands of the Muslims. The explosive devices were detonated in the shameless concert arena. What comes next will be more severe on the worshipers of the Cross and their allies.”
On the other hand, Twitter has confirmed that the terrifying tweet, which appeared to predict the suicide bombing, was posted after the attack.
The tweet had read: “Are you forget our threat?” and included a #ManchesterArena hashtag.
Eight-year-old Saffie Roussos, 18-year-old Georgina Callander and 26-year-old John Atkinson were among those killed.
Of the injured, at least 12 were children. There were 59 people taken to hospital, with 60 others treated at the scene.
Police have also raided a house where Abedi’s brother lived and arrested a 23-year-old man, as security services try to work out if the suicide bomber was part of a cell.
Manchester Bombing Spreads Fear Through Britain …. PM Warns of Further Terror Attacks
ByEditor
May 23, 2017
May on Tuesday night