Many of the suicide attacker’s movements and actions were “carried out alone” in the four days prior to the attack, Russ Jackson, head of the North West counter terrorism unit, said. But police have yet to rule out whether he was part of a wider network. Offi cers have cordoned off a street in the Rusholme area of Manchester where a property is being searched. Greater Manchester Police asked members of the public to avoid Banff Road, after the latest in a series of raids linked to their investigation.
Th ree men arrested over the 22 May attack were released without charge on Tuesday. Det Ch Supt Jackson said much of the police investigation had been working through Abedi’s last movements. Offi cers have examined his movements on CCTV and other interactions he had with people as well as phone calls he made. “Our enquiries show Abedi himself made most of the purchases of the core [bomb] components and what isbecoming apparent is that many of his movements and actions have been carried out alone during the four days from him landing in the country and committing this awful attack,” said Det Chief Supt Jackson.
However, it was “vital” that police make sure he is not part of a wider network and there were a “number of things” about this behaviour that were a concern, he added. Det Ch Supt Jackson said police were keen to fi nd out why Abedi kept going back to the Wilmslow Road area of the city and wanted to fi nd the blue suitcase he used during those trips. A total of 16 people have been arrested in connection with last Monday’s attack. Five have been released without charge while 11 are still in custody.
