As Prime Minister Theresa May promised, troops have been deployed to guard “key locations,” including the Palace of Westminster, several embassies and “other sensitive sites,” in London and other British cities, the Evening Standard reported.
The mass deployment follows Monday’s attack at Manchester Arena, which killed 22 kids attending an Ariana Grande concert, as well as the 23-year old attacker. It was the worst terror attack in the U.K. since 2005.
The Financial Times reports that nearly 4,000 military personnel have been deployed across Britain to help police with counter-terror efforts after May raised the threat level to “critical” on Tuesday as authorities scramble to apprehend any accomplices that may have aided Salman Abedi, the chief suspect in the bombing who was known to police prior to Monday's attack.
“There are fears an Islamist bombmaker may be on the loose because of the sophistication of the device used in the Manchester attack on Monday,” the Evening Standard noted.
The FT also noted that the attack occurred at a time when police chiefs across Britain have warned about difficulties recruiting the extra 1,500 police the U.K. government promised following the attacks in Paris and Brussels.
Counter-Terrorism forces have arrested Hashem Abedi, the younger brother of the Manchester attacker, in Tripoli, according to media reports.
Parliament has been closed to the public, the changing of the guard at Westminster has been cancelled and the Old Bailey’s public galleries were also shut, the Evening Standard reports.
Soldiers are likely to be on duty at this weekend’s FA Cup Final at Wembley. And Chelsea have cancelled Sunday’s victory parade to celebrate their premier league win, ESPN reported.
Here's a few photos showing troops arriving outside the Palace of Westminster, Scotland Yard and 10 Downing Street:
via http://ift.tt/2qXlTTy Tyler Durden