WARRINGTON’S Foundation for Peace is providing support following the terrorist bomb attack which killed 22 people, including children, attending a pop concert at the Manchester Arena last night.
Another 59 people are reported injured after a suicide bomber carried out a terror attack at Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande, in the deadliest peace time attack Manchester has ever seen.
Many at the concert were young female fans of primary school age.
Greater Manchester Police said the lone male attacker, who died in the blast, was carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated.
The explosion occurred close to the entrance to Victoria train and tram station. The station has been closed and all trains cancelled.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins described it as “the most horrific incident” the city had ever faced.
He said a “fast-moving investigation” was now working to establish whether the attacker “was acting alone or as part of a network”.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd described it as “a barbaric attack, deliberately targeting some of the most vulnerable”.
The prime minister is to chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee at around 09:00 and political parties have suspended general election campaigning.
Meanwhile Warrington’s Foundation for Peace, set up in the wake of the 1993 IRA bomb attack on Warrington, which claimed the lives of 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball, is offering support. More details to follow.
Police have set up an emergency telephone number in response to the attack. It is: 0161 856 9400.
It is the second in the U.K. this year and the deadliest since suicide bombers attacked the London transport system in 2005, killing 52 people. Since 2013, attacks have occurred in Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden.
Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Terry O’Neill, made the following statement today:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been tragically affected by this evil act of terrorism.
“In the North West, we are one community, and we stand together with our friends and neighbours in Manchester. We will support you in any way we can.
“One objective of terrorists is to set community against community – we cannot let that happen, and the way forward is solidarity and hope.
“Warrington Town Hall’s flag will be at half mast for the rest of the week and we will be working closely with the people of the borough and the police to ensure social cohesion and harmony at these challenging times.”
meanwhile Warrington Male Voice Choir has joined in the revulsion felt following the Manchester Arena attack last night.
Chairman Bob Williams said: “Our thoughts are with those killed or injured, with their families and friends and with others affected. As a choir we used our music to help build peace and reconciliation over many years, following the Warrington bombings in 1993.
“We used it again in 1996, following the IRA bombing in Manchester, with a concert at Manchester Cathedral, ironically a short distance from the scene of this latest terrorist attack.
“If and when felt appropriate we will be discussing how we might again use music to remember and support those caught up in a horrific attack on a great city.”
My heart goes out to the families with children dead and injured in Manchester. Words of comfort do help, but support is what is needed most
— Colin Parry OBE (@ColinParryPeace) May 23, 2017
Manchester Incident – the thoughts of all of us @peacecentre are with those people affected at the Ariana Grande concert
— Nick Taylor (@Nick4P) May 23, 2017
The @peacecentre meeting taking place with Government & local authority we will be providing support to Manchester – announcement to follow
— Nick Taylor (@Nick4P) May 23, 2017
“There are children among the deceased” confirms @gmpolice, speaking about the #ManchesterAttack in which 22 people have been killed pic.twitter.com/HW0uG6SNJd
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 23, 2017
⚠️Police ask fans to upload images or videos from #ManchesterArenaAttack to https://t.co/ZZcuPJsAF4 to help investigation #manchesterattack pic.twitter.com/CMlAErglRh
— Ben Forbes (@BLF090) May 23, 2017
These young people are still missing in #Manchester. Please RT to help find them.#StandTogether 💔 pic.twitter.com/qF2Gc42v5t
— Scarlett Moffatt (@ScarlettMoffatt) May 23, 2017
