An official report into the Manchester Arena terror attack back in 2017 says it’s likely that ‘fewer people would have been killed’ if there hadn’t been a series of security failures.
In a damning report it says the bomber Salman Abedi should have been identified as a threat on the night of the 2017 attack by those in charge of security at the Manchester Arena
The inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders found there were a number of missed opportunities to prevent or minimise the “devastating impact” and that lives may have been saved had concerns from members of the public been taken seriously.
The Manchester Arena operators, SMG, their security firm, Showsec, and British Transport Police all missed chances to stop Salman Abedi before he blew himself up in the venue’s foyer said Sir John Saunders
The report highlights that transport police went for a kebab and a steward missed the chance to stop the bomber in the minutes leading up to the attack
Releasing the report Sir John Saunders said that he supports calls for venue operators to have a “protect duty” towards customers adding that there’s no reason why large commericial operators shouldn’t be doing this.
Outside the court the father of one of the victims, Paul Hett, told reporters, “We were heartbroken to think Martyn was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.Today our heartbreak turns to anger…..the attack could and should have been prevented”
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester’s Mayor said:
There are wider lessons for us all. It is sadly clear that the country was under-prepared for an attack of this nature outside London and that security arrangements at large-scale events were insufficient. I am encouraged that the Chair has called for an overhaul of the law in relation to security at venues and this is an endorsement of the outstanding campaigning work of Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett. The Government will have our full support in legislating for a Protect Duty, which here in Greater Manchester will always be known as Martyn’s Law and which will always remind us of each and every one of the 22 individual lives that were lost on that night.”
Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Stephen Watson QPM said in a statement
“We welcome the publication of Volume One of the Manchester Arena Inquiry following what has been a very detailed and thorough process.
“Greater Manchester Police has sought to support the Manchester Arena Inquiry and its evidence gathering throughout. We have already identified and made many positive improvements to the service we provide as evidence has been heard and this work continues.
“As an organisation, we will always do our utmost to keep the people of Greater Manchester safe so any opportunity for us to improve our ability to do so is one that we will strongly embrace.
“We will now need some time to reflect on the report in detail and carefully consider the recommendations that have been made.
