Manchester police cordon off area around car in bomb probe
The Associated Press | Posted: June 2, 2017 1:05 PM | Last Updated: June 2, 2017
Security tight as city prepares for Ariana Grande's weekend memorial concert
British police investigating the Manchester Arena attack cordoned off an area around a car Friday that may be important to the investigation as they hunted for clues about the movements of the suicide bomber.
Officers put in place a 100-metre cordon around a white Nissan Micra in southern Manchester. The car was later seized and removed from the area, and the cordon was lifted.
They are hoping to piece together suicide bomber Salman Abedi's preparations before the blast that killed 22 people and wounded dozens of others at an Ariana Grande concert.
"This is potentially a significant development in the investigation," Det. Chief Supt. Russ Jackson said. "We are very interested in anything people can tell us about the movements of this car, and who was in it, over the past months."
Police were also interested in "who may have had access to the car or who may have gone to and from it."
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As a precaution, people were evacuated from the nearby Ronald McDonald House, which offers accommodation for families with children who are being treated in the hospital. A local hospital remained working as usual.
The developments came Friday after police released new security camera images of Abedi before the attack, hoping to piece together his actions between May 18 and May 22.
The images were released as Abedi's cousins said they were traumatized by last week's attack. Isaac and Abz Forjani, who were arrested and released without charge, expressed shock at Abedi's actions.
Isaac Forjani told the BBC it's "not easy" being connected to "22 lost, innocent lives."
"The fact that the person that did this is related to us by blood is something that's going to stay with me for the rest of my life," he said.
Meanwhile, police in Manchester said security will be tight this Sunday as the city comes together for both Ariane Grande's memorial concert and a soccer match.
"Two large-scale events will be taking place less than a mile away from each other," Stuart Ellison, chief superintendent of the Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said in a statement.
Ellison encouraged the public to remain patient while going through various security checks, and to be vigilant.
"The safety of the public, inside and outside, is paramount to our policing operation."
At her "One Love Manchester" benefit, Grande will be joined by the Black Eyed Peas, Robbie Williams, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Coldplay and other stars at the charity event being held two weeks after the suicide bombing.
Proceeds will go to an emergency fund set up by the City of Manchester and the British Red Cross. Other performers include Pharrell Williams, Niall Horan, Little Mix and Take That, who will open the show.