Three men have been arrested in connection with the
Manchester bomb attack that killed at least 22 people as the official terror threat level was raised to critical – the highest level – by Theresa May.
Soldiers will replace armed police at many sites, freeing them up for patrols in key areas under Operation Temperer, which is being enacted after security experts warned the government that another terrorist attack could be imminent.
It is the first time the most serious rating has been reached for nearly a decade.
The move reflects fears that a “wider group of individuals” may have been involved in the attack – including the bomb-maker who provided Abedi with his deadly device.
Following Monday’s blast, the Government has activated Operation Temperer, providing up to 3,800 troops to support the police in their security operations.
The latest arrests were announced by Greater Manchester Police as:
- France’s interior minister disclosed that Abedi, 22, is believed to have travelled to Syria and claimed he had “proven” links with the so-called Islamic State;
- Home Secretary Amber Rudd confirmed UK security services had been aware of the British-born attacker;
- Military personnel were being deployed to key sites after the official threat assessment was raised to critical, the highest level, indicating that a further attack may be imminent;
- A Polish couple who had gone to the venue to collect their daughters were revealed to be among those killed;
- PR manager Martyn Hett was the latest person to be named as a victim of the atrocity.
