Manchester attacker targeted security ‘soft spot’ at venue, expert says

The attacker who detonated an explosive device which killed 22 people in the Manchester terror attac deliberately targeted a ‘security soft spot,’ an expert has said.

The bomb – thought to be a homemade device – blew up in a walkway between the stadium and a station nearby, targeting concert-goers who were going home.

Will Geddes, CEO of security consultants ICP told Metro.co.uk that the attack would have been carefully planned to cause maximum harm.

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Geddes said, ‘No doubt they would have carried out some reconnaissance, it will have been very well planned and the individuals might have regarded the security at the stadium as too difficult and chosen the walkway as the next best option.

‘They will have been preparing for at least a month, this is not days, this is weeks, months or even years of preparation.

‘I do not subscribe to the lone wolf theory.

‘It is very difficult to build these devices on your own, he will have likely had help either in person or electronically through messaging apps or online forums.

‘It was within the walkway between the stadium and the station this would have been an area with a high footfall with people leaving the stadium, they will be looking for somewhere they are going to optimise casualty ratings.