Man arrested over 'disgusting' damage to Manchester Arena bomb memorial

Detectives are quizzing a 20 year-old antheral aft "disgusting" transgression harm successful Manchester Victoria presumption to tributes near for the 22 victims of the 2017 Arena panic attack. 

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said that astir 3.40pm connected Sunday their officers received reports of a antheral damaging spot astir the AO car parkland - portion of the AO Arena wherever the panic onslaught occurred connected 22nd May 2017. 

The unit said that soon afterwards "damage was reported to immoderate of the tributes near for victims of the Arena attack." 

A man, aged 20, was arrested connected suspicion of transgression harm and burglary. He remains successful custody for questioning.

Police said the damaged items were subsequently cleaned up and the country was respectfully tidied.

They added that relatives of victims of the panic attack, wherever termination bomber Salman Abedi, 22, detonated a home-made weaponry successful his backpack, person been "contacted by officers regarding the incident."

Detective Superintendent Sarah Harris, from GMP’s Manchester district, said: "Criminal harm and behaviour that disrupts the lives of radical going astir their regular concern is ne'er acceptable. 

"The information that this incidental progressive harm to tributes to victims of the arena onslaught is peculiarly disgusting, and is thing that we person zero tolerance for. 

"I privation to reassure the nationalist that we are moving hard to found the circumstances and I americium gladsome a speedy apprehension was made. 

"We are not looking for anyone other successful transportation with our enactment and enquires are ongoing. If you saw thing oregon judge you whitethorn person accusation that could assistance our investigation, I would impulse you to interaction police." 

GMP said successful a statement: "At astir 3.40pm yesterday (24 November 2024), officers received reports of a antheral damaging spot astir the AO car park, including breaking solid and a postulation cone. 

"Shortly thereafter, harm was reported to immoderate of the tributes near for victims of the Arena attack. 

"Officers responded and a man, aged 20, was arrested connected suspicion of transgression harm and burglary. He remains successful custody for questioning. 

"The damaged items were subsequently cleaned up and the country was respectfully tidied. Relatives of victims of the onslaught person been contacted by officers regarding the incident."

Only past week surviving victims of the Arena panic onslaught were told they cannot property up with a ineligible assertion against M15 - due to the fact that it was filed excessively late. 

More than 300 radical – including the bereaved - had brought cases against the Security Services, claiming the nonaccomplishment to instrumentality "appropriate measures" to forestall the atrocity infringed their quality rights. 

A nationalist enquiry recovered the ISIS-inspired onslaught mightiness person been prevented if MI5 acted connected cardinal quality received astir Abedi successful the months earlier the attack. 

In a ruling by a specializer tribunal, Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Farbey said the cases against the information services were retired of time.