The suicide attack on a Manchester pop
concert has sparked criticism about security,
but experts said it highlighted the daunting
task authorities face in neutralising those bent
on destruction.
Police confirmed Tuesday that youngsters
were among the 22 victims killed when a
suspected lone suicide bomber targeted
people leaving a concert by US star Ariana
Grande at the Manchester Arena in northern
England.
The attack raised immediate comparisons
with the assault on the Bataclan theatre in
Paris in November 2015 that left 90 dead,
with concert-goers to Monday's event
wondering why they underwent few security
checks.
Witness Chris Pawley told Fox News that "I've
been to concerts before and sometimes you
get patted down, or have to empty your
pockets. There was absolutely nothing at this
concert tonight, we literally just got our ticket
scanned and were straight in."
Twitter user "Cellie" wrote: "security is not
good at Manchester Arena, no one was
checking our bags or jackets," although
concert-goer James disputed the claims to
Sky News, saying "bags were checked security
was really, really good."
Manchester Arena stressed the incident had
taken place "outside the venue in a public
place", suggesting that the attacker had
exploited a weak point by targeting the
venue's foyer area, which connects to the
Victoria train and tram station.
"Several indicators point to the fact that the
attack was meticulously planned, and is likely
to have involved more than one individual,"
said Kit Nicholl, security analyst at IHS
Markit.
"The positioning of the suicide bomber at the
time of detonation, which maximised
casualties within an enclosed space while
also managing to evade security checks,
suggests that a significant amount of
planning had gone into the operation," she
added.
By waiting for guests to leave through the
security ring before detonating, the attacker
had illustrated "the vulnerability of such
mass gatherings despite security measures in
place at the venues themselves," according to
Otso Iho from Jane's Terrorism & Insurgency
Centre (JTIC).
Event organisers like Live Nation , which runs
many venues in London, beefed up security
following the Bataclan attack, but did not
reveal publicly what measures had been
taken.
Security providers are also wary of being too
overbearing, according to Simon Battersby,
director with the Showsec group which lists
Manchester Arena as a client.
He told the Venue Summit in March that
"people want to feel confident but also
relaxed" and that "it's important customers
feel confident as they're coming in, but we
need to do it in a friendly way".
If confirmed that the attack took place in a
public area, attention will likely shift to the
national security services and local police.
The government's Joint Terrorism Analysis
Centre (JTAC) provides general guidance by
providing sites with a national threat level,
which was set at "severe" -- meaning an
attack was highly likely.
The guide helps security providers plan their
response, but does not force them to
implement specific measures such as metal
detectors.
The use of an explosive device marks an
escalation from recent attacks in Britain ,
which have used unsophisticated weapons
such as knives and vehicles, with firearms
less of a threat given the country's strict laws
on gun ownership.
It will be of particular concern given that
measures are already in place to prevent
bomb-making, according to experts.
"It is exceptionally difficult to source the
materials necessary to build an improvised
explosive device while managing to avoid
detection," said Nicholl.
"Since the 2005 London bombings, measures
have been put in place to restrict the
purchase of materials that can be used to
make explosives."
Security services are also likely to come
under pressure after Prime Minister Theresa
May said police already knew the attacker's
identity.
Authorities believe there are around 2,000
potential terrorists in Britain, with the
question of surveillance resources sure to
come up as the country prepares to go the
polls on June 8.
concert has sparked criticism about security,
but experts said it highlighted the daunting
task authorities face in neutralising those bent
on destruction.
Police confirmed Tuesday that youngsters
were among the 22 victims killed when a
suspected lone suicide bomber targeted
people leaving a concert by US star Ariana
Grande at the Manchester Arena in northern
England.
The attack raised immediate comparisons
with the assault on the Bataclan theatre in
Paris in November 2015 that left 90 dead,
with concert-goers to Monday's event
wondering why they underwent few security
checks.
Witness Chris Pawley told Fox News that "I've
been to concerts before and sometimes you
get patted down, or have to empty your
pockets. There was absolutely nothing at this
concert tonight, we literally just got our ticket
scanned and were straight in."
Twitter user "Cellie" wrote: "security is not
good at Manchester Arena, no one was
checking our bags or jackets," although
concert-goer James disputed the claims to
Sky News, saying "bags were checked security
was really, really good."
Manchester Arena stressed the incident had
taken place "outside the venue in a public
place", suggesting that the attacker had
exploited a weak point by targeting the
venue's foyer area, which connects to the
Victoria train and tram station.
"Several indicators point to the fact that the
attack was meticulously planned, and is likely
to have involved more than one individual,"
said Kit Nicholl, security analyst at IHS
Markit.
"The positioning of the suicide bomber at the
time of detonation, which maximised
casualties within an enclosed space while
also managing to evade security checks,
suggests that a significant amount of
planning had gone into the operation," she
added.
By waiting for guests to leave through the
security ring before detonating, the attacker
had illustrated "the vulnerability of such
mass gatherings despite security measures in
place at the venues themselves," according to
Otso Iho from Jane's Terrorism & Insurgency
Centre (JTIC).
Event organisers like Live Nation , which runs
many venues in London, beefed up security
following the Bataclan attack, but did not
reveal publicly what measures had been
taken.
Security providers are also wary of being too
overbearing, according to Simon Battersby,
director with the Showsec group which lists
Manchester Arena as a client.
He told the Venue Summit in March that
"people want to feel confident but also
relaxed" and that "it's important customers
feel confident as they're coming in, but we
need to do it in a friendly way".
If confirmed that the attack took place in a
public area, attention will likely shift to the
national security services and local police.
The government's Joint Terrorism Analysis
Centre (JTAC) provides general guidance by
providing sites with a national threat level,
which was set at "severe" -- meaning an
attack was highly likely.
The guide helps security providers plan their
response, but does not force them to
implement specific measures such as metal
detectors.
The use of an explosive device marks an
escalation from recent attacks in Britain ,
which have used unsophisticated weapons
such as knives and vehicles, with firearms
less of a threat given the country's strict laws
on gun ownership.
It will be of particular concern given that
measures are already in place to prevent
bomb-making, according to experts.
"It is exceptionally difficult to source the
materials necessary to build an improvised
explosive device while managing to avoid
detection," said Nicholl.
"Since the 2005 London bombings, measures
have been put in place to restrict the
purchase of materials that can be used to
make explosives."
Security services are also likely to come
under pressure after Prime Minister Theresa
May said police already knew the attacker's
identity.
Authorities believe there are around 2,000
potential terrorists in Britain, with the
question of surveillance resources sure to
come up as the country prepares to go the
polls on June 8.
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