Manchester attack: UK raises terror threat level to 'critical'

May 24, 2017 08:24

British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the United Kingdom's terror threat to the "critical" level, which means an attack is imminent, and deployed army in the key sites after the deadliest attack which killed at least 22

people and injured 59 others.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the decision to raise the threat level was taken after security forces were unable to rule out if Salman Abedi, the UK-born suspect behind Monday's suicide bombing in Manchester, acted alone. The move will see the army deployed to secure the country's key sites.

"It is a possibility that we cannot ignore, that there is a wider group of individuals linked to this attack," May said.

The terror threat level has been raised to its highest level of "critical", meaning further attacks may be imminent, she said.

In a live address on Tuesday night, she noted: "The change in the threat level means that there will be additional resources and support made available to the police as they work to keep us all safe".

"As a result of (the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre's) decision the police have asked for authorisation from the Secretary of State for Defence to deploy a number of armed military personnel in support of their armed officers."

She said the request was part of an established plan known as Operation Temperer, which is now in force.

IMAGE: The Union flag flies at half mast in Downing Street following the attack. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images

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