Manchester bombing: Policeman breaks down in tears as mourners gather at vigils for victims

A policeman broke down in tears as hundreds gathered at a makeshift memorial for vigils in memory of the victims of the Manchester bombing.

Mourners gathered at two vigils a week after 22 people killed in the bombing at a pop concert at the Manchester Arena.

People met at St Ann's Square, which has become the site of hundreds of bouquets of flowers, balloons, scarves and hand written notes honouring those killed on Monday.

The vigils were heavily guarded by armed officers, one of whom broke down in tears at the site of the flowers and well-wishers.

Eliot Leeming, 20, was among those visiting St Ann’s Square after his brother Jonathan was caught up in the blast at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on Monday.

He said there was a nervous wait of up to 45 minutes before he was able to get confirmation his 17-year-old brother had escaped uninjured.

Mr Leeming said: “I’m here for the families who lost somebody.

“My brother was at the gig and there was a period where we didn’t hear from him, which was obviously really worrying.

“So I’m just really grateful I’m not mourning my dead brother.”

Greater Manchester Police are continuing to investigate the attack at the arena after Salman Abedi detonated a bomb as revellers left an Ariana Grande concert.

On Monday morning, police arrested a 23-year-old man on the south coast on suspicion of terror offences after a flurry of raids in Manchester over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Festival worker Mr Leeming, from Rossendale, near Blackburn, said: “It was really scary – my girlfriend was scrolling down her phone and saw a bomb had gone off.

“It was really hard knowing what to believe, looking on Facebook it was really scary.

“It was half an hour, 45 minutes ’til we got hold of him and obviously during that time it was really scary.

“We felt nothing but relief, and I can’t imagine what some of the families felt. He’s so shocked and he feels so bad for those who have been affected.”

Helen Hayward, who has lived in Manchester for seven years, said she was proud to call the city home in the wake of the tragedy.

The 25-year-old said: “I’ve heard stories about people opening their doors to victims, offering free lifts. It makes me really proud to live here and be part of such a strong community.

“It’s very sombre, people are very quiet and respectful.”