What to tell your clients following Manchester attack

By Hannah Edensor

Yesterday, the city of Manchester was rocked by an enormous terror attack, which saw 22 people killed and more than 50 injured.

The attack took place at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena, according to the ABC, when a suicide bomber detonated a bomb, and panic and stampedes to evacuate ensued.

As a result of the attack, British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the UK’s terror alert level from severe to critical.

What this means for tourism, according to the MI5 definition of a ‘critical’ terror alert, is that the Government believes a further attack is imminent.

According to MI5, “Sharing national threat levels with the general public keeps everyone informed.

“It explains the context for the various security measures (for example airport security or bag searches) which we may encounter in our daily lives.”

Per the ABC, May said there was a possibility the alleged suicide bomber was part of a wider network, and after reviewing the evidence left from the Manchester bomber, said it was imperative to upgrade the terror alert.

British PM: “Threat level should be increased for the time being from ‘severe’ to ‘critical,'”attack may be imminent https://t.co/UcLSuutDJL

— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 23, 2017

Per news.com.au, May said, “It is a possibility we cannot ignore that there is a wider group of individuals linked to this attack.

“It is now concluded, on the basis of today’s investigations, that the threat level should be increased for the time being from severe to critical.

“A further attack may be imminent.”

She said soldiers would be put on the streets of British cities to help police standing guard over possible targets.

“This means that armed police officers responsible for duties such as guarding key sites will be replaced by members of the armed forces, which will allow the police to significantly increase the number of armed officers on patrol in key locations,” May said, per news.

“You might also see military personnel deployed at certain events such as concerts and sports matches, helping the police to keep the public safe.

“In the coming days and weeks, there will of course be many events hosted up and down the country. The police will work with the organisers and hosts of these events, to come to a judgment about how they can go ahead while making sure the people who attend them are safe and secure.

“I do not want the public to feel unduly alarmed. We have faced a serious terrorist threat in our country for many years.

“And the operational response I have just outlined is a proportionate and sensible response to the threat that our security experts judge we face.

“I ask everybody to be vigilant, and to cooperate with and support the police as they go about their important work.”

The scale of five levels doesn’t go any further than Critical, and has only been set this high twice before.

Australia’s own SmartTraveller has responded to the UK’s upgraded terror alert, writing, “Expect an increased police and security presence across the UK.

“Be vigilant about your personal security, monitor the media and follow local authorities’ instructions.

“UK authorities have increased the police presence at public events and on public transport and have urged members of the public to:

be alert to the danger of terrorism
look out for suspicious behaviour or unattended bags on public transport and in other public places
look out for other signs of possible terrorist activity
report suspicious behaviour and unattended bags to the police
take heed of any official warnings
follow the advice of local authorities.”

Image: Twitter

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

manchester terror alert terrorism theresa may uk