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Police release pictures of Manchester bomber hours before arena attack, as security operation continues

This is the Manchester bomber, pictured moments before Monday’s atrocity at a pop concert.

Police issued CCTV stills of Salman Abedi, wearing glasses and dressed in casual clothes, as part of a plea for information about his movements between May 18 and the attack at the Manchester Arena.

Just hours after he was captured on camera, the 22-year-old detonated a bomb at an Ariana Grande concert that left 22 people dead and scores injured.

A huge police operation is underway, with raids across several cities leading to a wave of arrests.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins hailed “significant progress” in the investigation, following disclosures that “key players” of Abedi’s suspected terror network had been captured.

Police release picture of Manchester bomber just hours before attack
Raids – police have carried out raids across the country (Picture: SWNS)

But Home Secretary Amber Rudd warned that with the Islamic State terror group’s grip on the Middle East weakening, it was encouraging followers to bring the war to British soil.

She told the Mail on Sunday: “They’ve changed their message from ‘Come and join the Caliphate’ to ‘You can do your damage in your own country’. I don’t want to alarm people but I do want to level with them: This is a difficult environment, people are going to want to do damage.”

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The UK’s terror threat level has been scaled back from its highest point to “severe”, with Prime Minister Theresa May announcing troops would withdraw from the streets from Monday.

She said: “The public should be clear about what this means – a threat level of severe means an attack is highly likely. The country should remain vigilant.”

Police have released pictures of the Manchester bomber just hours before the attack
Caught on camera – bomber Salman Abedi just hours before he detonated a bomb at the Manchester Arena (Picture: PA)

An unprecedented security operation took place on Saturday as tens of thousands of people attended major events including the FA Cup Final at Wembley, where the Duke of Cambridge laid a wreath in honour of the victims, and the Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham.

As the country continued to mourn worst atrocity to hit Britain since the July 7 attacks in 2005, concert-goers also returned to Manchester for a performance by indie rock band The Courteeners at the Old Trafford cricket ground.

Police have released pictures of the Manchester bomber just hours before his attack
Security operation – an unprecedented operation was underway this weekend (Picture: SWNS)

A vigil was also announced for victim Martyn Hett by his family, to take place from 7pm at Heaton Moor Park in Stockport on Sunday.

The British Red Cross announced £5.57 million has been raised in a fundraising drive for the Manchester victims and survivors, prompting Manchester City Council to set up a new charity to help distribute the money.