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Manchester attack: Bank Holiday security ramped up as agencies monitor 23,000 terror suspects

Armed police officers stand guard outside Wembley: Getty Images
Armed police officers stand guard outside Wembley: Getty Images

Security at Spring Bank Holiday events across the capital has been ramped up after it emerged that counter-terror agencies have monitored up to 23,000 terror suspects.

More than 1,000 armed police are on standby at events, including the FA Cup Final at Wembley and the Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham, which are expected to draw tens of thousands to London on Saturday.

It comes after figures indicated as many as 23,000 people have appeared on the radar of counter-terror agencies.

Security has been reviewed at more than 1,300 events across the UK, with about 1,100 armed officers deployed to patrol the venues.

Despite the country being placed on critical alert, police have urged people to go out and enjoy themselves.

Britain's senior counter-terror officer said "immense" progress had been made in the probe into the associates of suicide bomber Salman Abedi and a "large part" of his suspected network has been dismantled.

Abedi killed 22 people, including children, when he set off a bomb in the foyer of the Manchester Arena as crowds left an Ariana Grande on Monday night.

The massacre was the worst terrorist atrocity to hit Britain since the July 7 attacks in London in 2005.

Police have now made their 11th arrest in connection with the attack, with reports of armed police swooping on a bus travelling towards Manchester city centre.

The Duke of Cambridge and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn are expected to head to Wembley on Saturday for one of the 1,000-plus events for which police have reviewed their security.

In Hull, US star Katy Perry will perform amid tight security at Radio 1's Big Weekend, while in Manchester armed officers will patrol The Courteeners' concert at Old Trafford cricket ground.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Theresa May raised the terror threat level to critical, meaning an attack may be imminent, for the first time in a decade.

The Prime Minister also sanctioned Operation Temperer, allowing the military to be deployed to protect key sites, and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace was among events cancelled.

The ceremony resumed on Friday as Mr Rowley, the national lead for counter-terror policing, urged Britons to go about their business after police reviewed security at more than 1,300 events.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said: "Enjoy yourselves and be reassured by the greater policing presence you will see.

"We can't let the terrorists win by dissuading us from going about our normal business."