Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News Special 20170523

Inside the arena described a stampede as panic spread. We have been treating this as a Terrorist Incident and we believe at this stage the attack last night was conducted by one man. Right now the Prime Minister is chairing a meeting of the governments Emergency Committee, cobrament her Home Secretary, amber rudd described it as a barbaric attack. Screaming, shouting, just people mad, chaotic rush to the nearest exit. Suddenly something really hot just flew over us and landed behind me and my mum and my sister and then we all like dropped to the floor. This morning we are live In Manchester and we will be talking to people who were at that concert. Those young people, those teenagers, who were targeted by a Suicide Bomber. A lone man at this stage, as far as the police know, who exploded a device in the foyer of the Manchester Arena just after Ariana Grande finished her concert. Well get reaction from the police and from local politicians and from people who live and work In Manchester. This part of the city centre is really quiet as youd expect. Were not farfrom centre is really quiet as youd expect. Were not far from the arena. When you arrive at Piccadilly Station, it is packed. People are going about their business theyre going about their business theyre going to work. Theyre going to get their kids to school because thats what you have to do even though there has been a Terrorist Attack in your city. Good morning. Were bring you some awful news from manchester this morning. 22 people including children have been killed and around 60 injured in a Terror Attack at a p0p 60 injured in a Terror Attack at a pop concert here at the Manchester Arena. There were thousands of children, teenagers and young adults there. Some children with their mums and dads. Police say one man acting alone, is thought to have carried out a Suicide Attack. Let me tell you where i am in relation to the Manchester Arena. Were at the end of chapel street. Far away, Manchester Arena. Were at the end of chapel street. Faraway, maybe 200 meters away underneath one of the bridges is the Manchester Arena and you can see the steps up to it like any big stadium, one of the biggest indoor, if not the biggest indoor venue in this country and were told it was pretty full last night. The capacity is about 21,000, 21,000 kids, teenagers, young people, mums and dads, watching Ariana Grande, one of the biggest us artists there is. Police say one man is thought to have carried out a Suicide Attack and people here are absolutely shocked by what happened. We have spoken to some people who we re we have spoken to some people who were at the concert, theyre leaving the premier inn behind me. They have got their bags packed and they are too traumatised to speak to me. This is the moment the explosion took place. 0h place. Oh my god. Whats going on . What just happened . Whats going on . 0h just happened . Whats going on . Oh my god. It sent debris flying. Eyewitnesses reported being blown 30 feet. Paramedics said they treated some of the wounded for shrapnel like injuries. This footage which you can see now shows the aftermath of the explosion. Andy was nearby where the explosion. Andy was nearby where the explosion took place. Ididnt explosion took place. Ididnt go explosion took place. I didnt go to the concert. My wife and daughter did. I was waiting at the first set of white doors. As i was waiting, an explosion went off and it through me through the first set of doors about 30 foot to the next set of doors. When i got up and walked around, there was 30 people scattered everywhere. Some of them looked dead. They might have been unconscious, but there was a lot of fatalities. My first thing was to run in the stadium and try and find my wife and daughter. When i couldnt find them i went back out and with the police and the fire and ambulance whoever was there, i looked at some of the bodies trying to find my family, but luckily they werent there. I managed to find them outside the arena and got them back to the hotel, but i phoned up because so many reports come in that it was like a balloon and things not happening as it was. It was definitely Anks Blowings and there was definitely a lot of fatalities. 0utside was definitely a lot of fatalities. Outside the arena many parents were waiting to collect their Childrenment Emma was there to pick up her 15 year old daughter and 17 year old son. Up her 15 year old daughter and 17yearold son. The kids were in the concert on their own and me and my husband, we dropped them off at tea time. The bags had been checked by the security and there was security on all night so you couldnt get in to the arena. It was definitely in the foyer. We were stood at the top of the stairs and the blast exploded. It was near to where they were selling the merchandise and it was definitely a bomb. Definitely. The whole building shook. And there was bodies everywhere. Body parts. It was the worst ever. It was definitely not in the arena, definitely, but because of the panic and because of the sound, we obviously then run to try and find the children. Unfortunately for us we were all first to tell the story. Really, really distressing. Some parents are still desperately trying to find their children. Charlotte campbell hasnt heard from her Daughter 0livia Campbell Hardy since last night. I had contact with her at 8. 30pm. And she was on her way to the concert, was she . She was at the concert. She was in the support act and said she was having an amazing time and thanking me for letting her go. Was she with her people . She was with her friend, adam. And have you managed to hear from him . Adam was found about half an hourago, from him . Adam was found about half an hour ago, hes in hospital, but 0livia has not been found yet. Youve got friends and family searching, what are you doing to try and find her . Im at home phoning everybody, hospitals, police, all the centres that the children have been put in. Her dad is actually In Manchester looking for her. Ive got friends out looking for her. Ive got people i dont even know looking for her. People messaging me saying weve got her photo, were out looking for her. Well get in contact with you if we see her. Im just hearing nothing. Her phone is dead. The extra help that youre getting from people you dont know is because you made an appeal on social media, yes . Yes, social media has been wonderful. I dont know what i would have done without it because it just made what i would have done without it because itjust made it so aware that shes missing and there is thousands of people that know that she is now missing and have seen her picture and there are people out looking for her that i dont know andi looking for her that i dont know and i cant thank these people enough for giving their time up. And what have the police, the authorities, said to you about what you should do . Theyve basically just told me to stay put and wait for a phone call. And there is nothing more you can do, is there . dare not leave the house just in case she somehow gets home. People are posting photographs on social media of those still missing, but some are understood to be fake. Im going to talk to karen ford who was at the gig with her daughter isabel for a 14th birthday treat and were going to speak to isabels dad, they are on separate lines. Karen, good morning to you. Good morning. Hello. Tell us what you can about what you experienced last night. It was awful. It wasjust, it is just unbelievable and to hear that poor womans story now. I was lucky, i brought my baby home last night and she will be celebrating her birthday on sunday, but some children wont be. The concert had just finished and Ariana Grande had left the stage and the lights came up left the stage and the lights came up and everyone started to get their bags together and we started to walk towards the staircase when All Of A Sudden there was a huge, loud bang in the corner, the opposite corner of the stadium. It sounded like an explosion, but there was no smoke. There was no flash. There was no smell. There was nothing else to see. It was an explosion. The noise was deafening and everyone just stopped in their tracks and looked towards the corner and then someone shouted, its a bomb. And then it was just utter chaos and panicment people were falling over barriers, they were jumping over barriers. People were falling over barriers, they werejumping over barriers. We we re they werejumping over barriers. We were trying to get up the stairs and there were people behind us. They we re there were people behind us. They were just crushing everybody in front of them. You had not that many staircases where they could actually leave because everybody wanted to avoid the country in the corner so you had got 15, 20,000 people trying to exit. It was just awful. I was trying to tell my daughter to keep calm and obviously we needed to get out safe, but at that tile, we did not know that it was a bomb. So we left the building, we came out of the doors, all the staff had gone. I presume they may have gone around to the explosion, i dont know, but there was no one to direct us anywhere. There were shoes on the floor that people had obviously lost as they were running away. And we just followed the masses and we just followed everybody out into the street, on the streets there were children crying, everybody was on their phonesment they were trying to find their parents. There were pa rents find their parents. There were parents outside. The concert was full of young girls. So 12, 13, parents outside. The concert was full of young girls. So12,13,14, whose parents had probably dropped them off and gone to have a good time with their friends and then obviously the parents were outside. It was just awful. I had obviously the parents were outside. It wasjust awful. I had my obviously the parents were outside. It was just awful. I had my daughter with me and i had her safe and we did get out, but then we had to find my husband. My husband and son had dropped us off and they were coming to pick us up. So he had heard the explosion about half an and mile away and came running down towards the arena. He tried to phone, but he couldnt get through on his phone at first to me. But it was just awful outside. It really was. Those poor families. And how is your daughter isabel . She is in shock this morning. She is quite upset. She had a few tears. I think obviously reality has sunk in this morning that she has gone to a concert. She is just that she has gone to a concert. She isjust in that she has gone to a concert. She is just in complete awe of Ariana Grande. She loves her. Weve had these tickets for months and it was just they came around her birthday which was a brilliant time and the concert was fond tassic and then for that to happen and people her age, have probably died, i think shes realising how serious it is bless her. So she has not gone to school today. Neither of my children. They just werent in a fit state to go. Im going to talk to your husband, stewart, if i may karen, stewart can you hear me 0k, good morning to you . Yes, victoria, i can hear you. Thank you very much for talking to us. I mean, its unimaginable for most of us mean, its unimaginable for most of us actually, but for you, frantically trying to find your wife and daughter, can you describe what that was like . I dont think i could describe it. It was, after the bang, i turned to my son, we were sat about half a mile up the hill away from the arena. We found a nice little get away so we could get away from the traffic, but it was off the main road and we heard this bang and i looked at him and i went, that sounded like a bomb. But i didnt think anything else of it because not for one second did i think it was a not for one second did i think it wasa bomb, not for one second did i think it was a bomb, itjust sounded like a bomb. And then probably 20 seconds later i could see other parents getting who were parked on the main road getting out of their cars and i thought something is not right. Everybody was getting out of their cars All Of A Sudden. I grabbed hold of my son and i went, come on, were going. I ran to the main road and started asking a few of the adults what had happened because by this time the kids were getting up the road and they were running from the road and they were running from the arena and theyjust said, oh, it was a loud bang. But no one actually knew. So i tried phoning karen and for some reason itjust wouldnt connect and then it was just ringing out or the engaged tone and we were running down the hill and we were running down the hill and it was frantic. It really was and it was frantic. It really was and panic had set in by that time. And how did you manage to find karen and isabel in the end . Eventually karen picked her phone up. She answered and luckily the exit that she had come out of was the exit where i dropped her off earlier that afternoon. We got our bearings and it was a case of finding a focal point where we could see and eventually meet up. But that seems to have taken for ever, to actually find her. How do you reflect this morning on british kids being at a pop concert In Manchester at the gig of a huge us star being targeted in this way . Absolutely awful. You cannot comprehend it. To think, the little kids who were there, the panic, it isjust awful. I am really grateful for your time, both of you, considering what you have gone through, thank you very much stewart, karen. We wish you and isabel all the best. Karen and stewart ford. Karen was at the concert with her daughter isabel. It was her 14th birthday treat. They heard the bomb go off. Ariana grande had just left the stage. The lights came up and they started to walk out and then they heard this enormous bang. As karen said, someone said, that sounds like a bomb. Clearly, their 14 year old pretty traumatised today. We will bring in more people, somebody at the concert, who lives close by and also our correspondence matthew price. Emily, hello. Matthew, i am victoria. Describe what happened . Matthew, i am victoria. Describe what happened . We were just getting ready to leave, she just finished and we had this bang. Everyonejust stopped, there was silence and panic. Everyone was sprinting up the stairs, trying tojump over the barrier onto the floor. We were quite near the front. So we waited until everybody got out. People tripping up over the stairs, dragging people upstairs, panic, trying to get out. As we got up to the foyer, there was smoke everywhere, drips of blood on the floor leading out of the main entrance. We ran straight back to the hotel, just to be safe. We did know what had happened. Initially i think people thought it was balloons pppin9 think people thought it was balloons popping. At the end of the Concert A Load of pink balloons had been set off . Yes, but it was too loud to be balloons. The securityjust said one of the sandboxes had blue that was the noise, they didnt know what was on. the noise, they didnt know what was on. Sound boxes. A lot of people knew it wasnt that and it happened to be what it was and it was horrifying. How are you . Im fine, bit shaky, i was crying a lot last night, but i am Getting Better as the day goes on. Thank you very much, and moly. Darryl, you live close by and you heard the explosion . Yes, i arrived home from work at about 10 15pm and got into my flat. I heard an explosion so intense it shook me to my core. Noise, experience and sensation i have felt before. I work for a Radio Station In Manchester and my journalistic instinct kicked in and i made my way to. A couple of hundred yards away from my flat, the Manchester Arena approach was filled with people. A lot of them looking unsure as to what was going on. Then an element of panic and chaos set in. This was on the Victoria Station side because there are several exits . Yes, the side closest to the Train Station. I managed to speak to a man who was willing to talk to me on the record. The first words out of his mouth was Suicide Bomber. My heart sank at that point. Then it was trying to piece together and make sense of it. People were uncertain and it was pure chaos. It was a difficult time and there was an incredible amount of Community Spirit and incredible acts of bravery from the Emergency Services. We talk about that thing a lot in these circumstances, but i saw a convoy of about 20 ambulances driving to the point of danger last night and it was incredibly heart warming. We did know what was going on, but there was rumours of a sound box having blown, and i knew that wasnt the case. From there, the picture started to become clearer. Thank you very much, darrell. We will talk to our correspondent matthew price, but first Steph Mcgovern is at the Manchester Royal in the. We know about 60 people were injured, what can you tell us from there . This is one of eight hospitals where casualties have been treated here. A lot of ambulances arriving overnight. Has been quieter this morning, mainly Police Coming and going. But in the early hours of this morning, it was really busy here with ambulances bringing the casualties. Also relatives. You are talking about people looking for their loved ones and we have seen their loved ones and we have seen the same here as well. In the early hours of this morning, there was a 17 Year Old Girl who had been to the concert with her mum and her mums boyfriend. She came to the hospital looking for them and found her mums boyfriend but hadnt found her mum so boyfriend but hadnt found her mum so she was continuing to travel around the hospital s looking. You can see the confusion but also the support. There have been staff who arent on duty, offering to come in and do extra shifts. They have been told by the director of the a e units, only to come in if they are as. There is also a lot of security. People being asked for id before they get into the hospital and only those who need serious treatment are allowed into a e. Also the issue is getting the blood here for those who need it. Just across the road is the Blood Donation centre. They say they are opening up early and i have seen are opening up early and i have seen a few people heading that way to go and donate blood. If you are registered to donate, there are lots of centres around the city where you can do that. If you are not registered, you can get registered and give blood over the next few days. It is important to help the people here. We have seen the staff arriving. Lots of staff who have left here, looking exhausted. The next shift coming in this morning, not knowing what to expect. This is a Major Incident for them, they announced that this morning. We dont know how many casualties in this particular hospital. We have been told we will be given more information, but given it is an Ongoing Investigation, there is a lot we are not being told. But it is clear the Emergency Services are working hard here this morning and we will give you updates as we get more information victoria. Thank you very much, Steph Mcgovern at the manchester Royal Infirmary. This is the worst atrocity in britain since 52 people were killed in the london bombings in 2005. The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester police is ian hopkins. This has been the most horrific incident we have faced in Greater Manchester and one we all hoped we would never see. Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have very sadly lost their lives. 0ur have very sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts are with those 22 victims we now know have died. The 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones. We continue to do all we can to support them and they are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester. As you will appreciate, this is a fast moving investigation we have significance resources deployed to the investigation and the visible patrols people would see across Greater Manchester as they wake up to the news from the events of last night. This will include armed officers and more than 400 officers have been deployed on this operation throughout the night. The Prime Minister, theresa may, has suspended Election Campaigning and is currently chairing a meeting of the governments urgency cobra committee. She said her thoughts are with those affected by an appalling Terrorist Attack. Jeremy corbyn has treated, i am Terrorist Attack. Jeremy corbyn has treated, iam horrified by Terrorist Attack. Jeremy corbyn has treated, i am horrified by the horrendous events In Manchester. My thoughts are with family and friends of those who have died and have been injured. The Emergency Telephone Number for people concerned about friends or relatives who may have been caught up relatives who may have been caught up in the attack is. That is anyone concerned. There was a massive flash and then smoke. Ifelt a bit there was a massive flash and then smoke. I felt a bit of pain there was a massive flash and then smoke. Ifelt a bit of pain in my foot and my leg and i turned to my wife at the side of me and she said, i need to lay down. I had to lay her down on the floor, she has got a Stomach Wound and possibly a broken leg. The doors where you come out of the arena itself into the foyer where they had the merchandise, it was someone where they had the merchandise, it was someone who had just come through the doors there and then bang. There was glass and then metal notes that have been packed into the device that has exploded. Nuts. The explosion happened just after Ariana Grande left the stage. She tweeted this. Broken from the bottom of my heart. I am so, so sorry. I dont have words. When she walked off the stage she left a venue full off the stage she left a venue full of joyous, young people. Off the stage she left a venue full ofjoyous, young people. Moments later it was transformed into a scene of multiple births. Lets talk to our consumer this correspondent, matthew price. We are less tha n correspondent, matthew price. We are less than 12 hours after this has happened and that is what it is so shocking. Round the corner there are the steps, down which thousands yesterday fled. Many thousands of children of cause among them. We are seeing some of those filing past this morning. They are eventually going home and perhaps they have gathered a few hours sleep. 12 stick in your mind. The young couple who had come down from cumbria, the young man and his girlfriend who spoke of the blood they saw and the injured they saw. Then there was the mother and her 19 year old daughter. She had stepped in at the last minute. Her daughters friend was meant to come and the mother came along. They described managing to get out and they hid under a bridge for 40 minutes, because they were so afraid. And the other people i met. This mother who left the concert early because she was with her ten year old daughter and they wa nted ten year old daughter and they wanted to get her home to bed. They missed the explosion, but it will live with them for ever. 21 years ago, manchester was targeted. Just up ago, manchester was targeted. Just up the road. Just up the road, corroboration. I was one of those evacuated. Corp oration street. Devastation in terms of infrastructure, but no one was killed that day. This is just appalling. I have been to paris after the bataclan attacks. Berlin after the bataclan attacks. Berlin after the bataclan attacks. Berlin after the Christmas Market attacks. We have seen what happens, city rebuild themselves, manchester knows that because of what happened in the arndale, cities rebuild themselves, but it is difficult for families. Is there a hierarchy of death, the easier it gets as someone gets older . I dont know, but it is horrific and tragic that children, we know children are among the 22 who died. The police have said, we dont know their ages, but we know it. The police and Intelligence Services have been telling us that Something Like this would happen. It has happened In Manchester. It was a deliberate targeting, it seems, of young people at a pop concert. Predominantly young teenage girls, ten year olds, as i mentioned, and others. But targeting of those people by a man who put an Improvised Explosive Device on himself, walked in there at the end ofa himself, walked in there at the end of a concert, when he knew people would be leaving, and set the device. How do you cope if you are a mother or a father of one of the children lost in this . Thank you very much, matthew price. It is ten a. M. Good morning a Suicide Bombing at a p0p good morning a Suicide Bombing at a pop concert In Manchester has killed 22 people and wounded nearly 60 others. Children are amongst the dead. The whole building shook. And then there was bodies everywhere. Body parts. It was just the worst ever. Police said the lone male attacker died when he detonated a device as the crowd was streaming out of the Manchester Arena after a gig by the american singer, Ariana Grande. We have been treating this as a Terrorist Incident and we believe at this stage the attack last night was conducted by one man. 0ne conducted by one man. One of those injured said the floor was covered with metal shrapnel and glass. Witnesses, inside the arena, described a stampede as panic spread. Screaming, shouting, just people mad, chaotic rush to the nearest exit. I turned around to my wife who was stood at the side of me and she says, i need to lay down. To had to lay her down on floor. She has got a Stomach Wound and possibly a broken leg. The Prime Minister, theresa may, is chairing a meeting of the governments Emergency Committee cobra. The Home Secretary, amber rudd described the attack as barbaric. This was a barbaric attack deliberately targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society, young people, children, out at a pop concert. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families, the victims, who have been affected. Good morning. Live from manchester this morning where it is pretty calm, it is pretty quite et on this side of townment behind me, about 200 meters away is the Manchester Arena, A Com Plete Away is the Manchester Arena, a complete contrast to last night where from what eyewitnesses with said there was cottal chaos and total con total chaos and confusion after an Ariana Grande concert. What we know according to the police this morning is that 22 people were murdered by a lone male attacker who detonated that Device Attacker who detonated that device at the end of the gig and at least 59 people are injured. Police say they are treating this as a suspected Terrorist Attack. Theyve asked for further information. Theyve asked for people who may have been filming on their phones at the time to upload footage to a particular website. The ka pass yut at the arena about 21,000 people and there are people leaving the travelodge and the premier inn, leaving with their suitcases, they had come here to watch one of their favourite pop stars, they are leaving pretty traumatised. Many dont want to peak to the media, which is fair enough really, isnt it . Around manchester there are Armed Police Officers and extra unarmed officers, the leader of the city council said this morning that is to reassure people, but also from Piccadilly Station to here, that walk of what a cull of miles, there are thousands of people couple of miles, there are thousands of people going about their Daily Business and taking their children to school because thats what happens when a city is targeted by terrorism in the end you just have to go on. Ive spoken to many people. They are shocked and they re spoken to many people. They are shocked and theyre devastated. Theyre also in pragmatic mode as well. As you know the Prime Minister has been chairing a meeting of the Emergency Committee, cobra. And were going to talk to Eleanor Garnier now who is on whitehall. Is the meeting still going on . Victoria, we think the meeting has just finished. Im standing outside the Cabinet Office and we have seen the Cabinet Office and we have seen the defence secretary, michael fallon, he left in the last few minutes as well as other ministers too. So we think the meeting probably started at 9am. It went on for around 15 minutes and it is the most senior meeting you can have in whitehall. There would have been the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, other ministers too, but also very senior Police Officers and also security leaders. 0bviously what they will have been doing is updating the Prime Minister and other politicians on exactly what they know about what happened In Manchester overnight. They will be talking about the intelligence they have managed to gather so far and what they have learnt about the attacker and perhaps maybe what they have found out about whether he was working alone or whether he was working alone or whether he was working with others. We havent yet had an update on the exact findings of that meeting. We havent had a read out from that meeting, but we know all campaigning in the General Election has been suspended and i understand the Prime Minister called the leader of the opposition, jeremy corbyn, overnight. They had a phone call and they decided that all National Campaigning should be suspended. The green party, the liberal democrats, the snp, who are meant to launch their manifesto today, all those parties, ukip as well, they have all said that political campaigning in the General Election will be suspended and of course, we dont yet know when it will resume because this is an extremely serious Terror Attack and of course, its going to be taking up of course, its going to be taking up the Prime Ministers time and as a mark of respect all politician have decided that any campaigning should be suspended. Thank you. Eleanor garnier live from whitehall. Its10. 06am. Greg dawson has the latest. Oh my god. Whats going on . What just happened . Thousands of people scrambled for the exits. I was like, thousands of people scrambled for the exits. Iwas like, we thousands of people scrambled for the exits. I was like, we need to run. So we started running. We ran down to the hotel and all i could hear was screaming and people crying. Everyone was just running everywhere. It was complete madness. Police now believe the attack was carried out by one man, who detonated an Improvised Explosive Device that he was carrying. Its believed he died in the blast. This has been the most horrific incident we have faced in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see. Families and many young people were out Toen Joy A Concert at the Manchester Arena and have very sadly lost their lives. The Manchester Arena has a cas passity of 18,000 for concerts. Last night, it was filled with young people. The police say a number of children are among the dead. I was near the box office on the foyer where it happened waiting for my family to come out and i was talking to one of the girls who was going on about shes going away with the kids and that. I was just talking about florida and that. 0nly that. I was just talking about florida and that. Only for her talking to me and having the door open, i think i would have been injured, but because she had the door open we got thrown forwards through the door towards the arena, but the explosion was behind us, it forced us forward, but everyone who was ten foot, 15 foot behind us, eve ryo ne was ten foot, 15 foot behind us, everyone of them got injured. At least 60 ambulances were sent to the venue, with the injured taken to eight hospitals across the city. Paramedics say many were treated for shrapnel like injuries. Hours later, Ariana Grande tweeted the words, broken from the bottom of my heart. Iam so, broken from the bottom of my heart. I am so, so sorry. I dont have words. The singer wasnt hurt in the incident. When she walked off stage she left behind a venue filled with joy. Just stage she left behind a venue filled withjoy. Just moments stage she left behind a venue filled with joy. Just moments later, it became the scene of multiple deaths. Greg dawson reporting. You can see on the billboard whats just been put up there. Pray for manchester. Hashtag we stand together. Ive got various people to talk to. Some of whom were at the gig and some of whom were at the gig and some of whom helped. Caitlin, good morning to you, joseph, daniel, and sam, thank you very much for talking to us. Thank you very much for talking to us. You were both at the concert. Tell us what happened as far as youre concerned . We were just right in front of the stage, one row behind it. And as soon as the stage just finished we just heard this massive bang. It was that loud that it fill the whole room with that noise. As soon as it fill the whole room with that noise. As soon as everyone it fill the whole room with that noise. As soon as everyone turned around and wondered what it was, eve ryo ne around and wondered what it was, everyone where the bomb was, they we re everyone where the bomb was, they were all screaming and running back. Did you know it was a bomb . were all screaming and running back. Did you know it was a bomb . I knew straightaway it was a bomb. Everyone was saying it was a balloon, but balloons dont make that noise and it was not a balloon or a speaker because thats not what they make at all. The next worry that i thought that people with guns were going to come in, but luckily that did not happen, but god knows what was going to happen after that. Ijust knew it was a bomb from that noise. There was a bomb from that noise. There was nothing else for it. Joseph, what about yourself . Personally, my experience of the show itself was incredible. She was flawless as always, but afterwards when the bomb we nt always, but afterwards when the bomb went off, it was just a always, but afterwards when the bomb went off, it wasjust a panic in always, but afterwards when the bomb went off, it was just a panic in the entire room. People would panic and when you have got a lot of pre teen Boys And Girls and when they are all panicking and trying to get out, there is going to be mass hysteria and people are going to try and push past each other and people will get hurt. We got stuck in a line of people who stopped because they didnt know the situation so we had to climb over chairs and over fences and gates that had been locked to get out of doors of the arena itself which we did in the end get to do, but at the same time it was still terrifying and personally a horrendous end to a perfect night. Sam, daniel, come closer. Tell us where you were and what you did . We we re where you were and what you did . We were just coming back from the cinema at the time. We came out and there were sirens going. We didnt really know what was going on and it was, it wasnt until we were coming because ijust live around the corner, it wasnt until we got Close To Home and we were seeing people who were crying and it was really distressing. We saw there was rumours that there was a bomb. So, it was really sad. They were just beginning to cordon everything off, but there is a massive difference to last night to this morning when it was business as usual here. It is like people just passing straight through. Were you able to help . Were you able to comfort people . Well, we, like we said, we didnt know what was going on because at first we thought maybe somebody had been knocked over by a car, but then the amount of police that were coming and ambulances, Something Else has happened. We knew something a lot bigger had happened, yeah. How do you respond to the fact that a man with some kind of Explosive Device did this . I felt really terrified. You never thought you there there at that moment that would happen something that you had spent so many months planning to do and than all ofa months planning to do and than All Of A Sudden, as soon as that moment has come, someone of a sudden, as soon as that moment has come, someone decides to obviously plan it for many months as well and its terrifying to realise that anything like that can happen no matter what and for us to be in that situation and also with many, many younger kids who are younger than us like six. How old are you . Im 16. Than us like six. How old are you . Im16. How old are you . Im16. How do you reflect this morning, joseph . Imjust do you reflect this morning, joseph . Im just trying to get over it. Im obviously with the situation that has occurred, its going to take a long, long time for people to get past this. Weve council. To 22 fatalities and 59 injured. It is horrendous the amount of damage not only to infrastructure, but the damage to personal families. There isa damage to personal families. There is a lot of peel who never got to go home from that concert and personally i think thats horrendous. 0k, thank you very much, thank you caitlin and joseph, daniel and sam, thank you very much. We can go live to Downing Street where vicki young is. Clearly election, general Election Campaigning has been suspended. We dont know how long for, what is the latest from there . Thats right. We know there has been an emergency meeting this morning of senior Government Figures chaired by theresa may. That meeting has broken up. They will have been dealing with the practicalities of whats going on In Manchester. We expect the Prime Minister to come out into the street. We think that she will make a statement and i suppose the task for her is not to talk about the practicalities, it is to sum up the mood that everyone is feeling and the despair and the hurt, that eve ryo ne the despair and the hurt, that everyone is feeling and as they look at what happened In Manchester and so at what happened In Manchester and so that, i think, the role of the Prime Minister is notjust about the practical side of this. She will visit manchester in some form, but the political cam maybing, that election that we have been in middle of, all the tooing and froing. Political debate that has stopped with all parties deciding not to campaign. The Prime Minister then does have some other things on that she has to do which are International Meetings so actually that could mean that the heat of the Election Campaign if you like has probably dissipated for a few days. If we just move our camera, we probably dissipated for a few days. If wejust move our camera, we can see if wejust move our camera, we can see in Downing Street and in a lot of the buildings around here in westminster, the flags are at half mast as you would expect, because of what has happened with this worst Terrorist Attack on british soilfor very, this worst Terrorist Attack on british soil for very, very many yea rs british soil for very, very many years since 7 7. Something, of course, that theresa may would have expected she may have had to deal with at some point. She has been Home Secretary before that for very many years so something that she is well aware of and of course, i suppose that experience will be coming to the fore front as she chairs this meeting today, but as i say, we expect words from her at some point in the next few hours and then probably that trip to manchester later. Thank you very much. When the Prime Minister speaks outside Downing Street, we will bring it to you. Lets speak to the head of National Counterterrorism security. Mr phillips, in terms of the counterterrorism investigation, where will you begin . An attack like this, it was so well articulated, by those youngsters who spoke before me. It has involved a lot of planning. It is a bit of a step up from what we have seen recently with Terrorist Attacks, such as the westminster attack, where, no planning needed to be done to commit that attack. But this attack does involve someone being able to get hold of explosives, or make explosive, turned them into a belt and make the effort of putting bolts and make the effort of putting bolts and things in that in order to kill people and has used it at one of the most effective times. This is a much more professional style attack. And this is bad news, this attack is not potentially yet over. I would be very surprised if there was only one suicide belt. I would be surprised if only one set of explosives was used and i would be surprised if only one person was involved. The police will be working really hard to try to identify this person, identify those who are involved in the group and bring those to justice before they can do any more harm. Which is one of the reasons why the Greater Manchester police Chief Co Nsta ble Greater Manchester police Chief Constable said please dont speculate about this mans name on social media because they dont want to tip off any accomplices. You wouldnt need to go to syria to get expertise to make that kind of Explosive Device, would you . U nfortu nately Explosive Device, would you . Unfortunately with the internet, the ability to tweet and send messages, people in the uk have access to, how doi people in the uk have access to, how do i make a bomb . The Security Services are on two people very quickly like that. Of course, it does take some skill. You have to have some knowledge in order to make explosives, for example. This, appears, to have been done quite professionally, with some thought as to how they will attack. It is important to understand how we need to come together as communities if we are going to stop this. The minute somebody gets a bomb strapped to them or get into a car to attack people, it is too late, we are just going to have casualties. People need to come to the police and tell of their suspicions, in order to stop this from happening. of their suspicions, in order to stop this from happening. I want to bring our audience this news, andy burnham has just tweeted, join us for a vigil burnham has just tweeted, join us fora Vigil In Burnham has just tweeted, join us for a vigil in Albert Square at 6pm tonight. We are grieving today, but we are strong. Echoing his words, when he made his statement this morning. Pleasejoin us when he made his statement this morning. Please join us for a when he made his statement this morning. Pleasejoin us for a vigil at Albert Square. That is in the centre of manchester at 6pm tonight. We are grieving, says the mayor of manchester, but we are strong. What is the likelihood this man will turn out to be someone known to the Security Services . Almost certainly. We know there are an enormous amount of people known to the Security Services, but there is not the police resources, Security Service resources to follow all of them. Almost certainly, this person will be on the radar, but not under the microscope. As a community, the police are doing a greatjob to protect us, but they cannot be successful 100 of the time. Subsequent to the attack in london in westminster, the police have arrested people pretty much every day for Terrorist Planning. They are doing a greatjob, but we do have to accept, at the moment, i am afraid, with the resources they have got, we cannot have 100 security. With the resources they have got, we cannot have 10096 security. Thank you very much, chris phillips. Mr phillips is the former head of the National Counterterrorism security. Just let me remind you, we are broadcasting from manchester this morning. It is calm today, complete contrast to the utter devastation and chaos and confusion of last night, when a pop concert was targeted by a male attacker, so Greater Manchester police, who say he exploded some kind of device in the foyer of the Manchester Arena, just as the concert was ending, just as crowds of children, teenagers, young people, mums and dads were streaming out. We know so far, sadly 22 people have died and that there are children amongst those dead. 59 people are being treated in eight hospitals around Greater Manchester. Andy burnham, the mayor of manchester tweeted this in the last few minutes, please join us for a vigil in Albert Square at 6pm tonight. We are grieving today, but we are strong. We will talk to a man who was at the gig with his girlfriend and daughter. Good morning to you. Good morning. Tell us morning to you. Good morning. Tell us what you saw and heard . Like you said, Ariana Grande had just gone off stage and everybody had just started to leave the arena and where you go up the stairs and out into reception where the toilets are and the little shops you get your food and drink, we were walking past that and drink, we were walking past that and stewards were pointing us to the right. We were following that a man a sudden there was a huge bang. I dont really think anybody, where we wear, i dont think it was around that area, i think it was around the other side because we didnt see anything or feel anything, like others have said. In our section, we just heard it, it was a loud bang. I immediately thought, what was that. At first i thought it was maybe a bomb, but then i thought maybe they are dismantling the stage and something had fallen over and banged on the stage. Within seconds, people behind me started screaming and running, running past. That is when i started to panic. I grab my daughter and i said, i started to panic. I grab my daughterand i said, run. We i started to panic. I grab my daughter and i said, run. We started running with everybody else. We got to the stairs and everybody was pushing and running down the stairs, trying to get down as quick as we could. I think the word two or three flights of stairs. I looked back to find my girlfriend. I couldnt see her. We ran outside onto the road and there were lots of people crying and there were lots of people crying and shouting. We ran to the other side of the road and i was looking round for my girlfriend and i couldnt find her. I got my phone out to give her a call and she was ringing me. Itold out to give her a call and she was ringing me. I told where we were and she came down. We still didnt know at that point what had happened. We just saw the police cars passing. We got in the car and i put the radio on and that is when we heard people ringing in saying there had been an explosion. We still didnt really know what it was at that point. We didnt know about casualties or anything like that until later on, when we realised how serious it was. You must be very, very shaken this morning . Yes, we havent slept very well. It was a task getting back to leeds, the m62 was closed and it was about 1 30am when we arrived home. We put the news on. We feel so lucky that we managed to get out of there and we were lucky enough to have escaped it. But it is so sad. It was full to the brim of children, Young Children. My daughter is nine years old, it was a Christmas Present and isa old, it was a Christmas Present and is a massive fan of Ariana Grande and has been excited about this since december. It is so sad that somebody can do Something Like this. When we went in, they didnt even surge us. When we went in, they didnt even surge us. They asked my girlfriend to open her handbag up and one of the stewards flashed a torch in there for about half a second. They didnt search me, they didnt search our jackets or anything like didnt search me, they didnt search ourjackets or anything like that. It was just straight through. Right. Thank you very much. We appreciate your time this morning. Let me tell your time this morning. Let me tell you about the Emergency Telephone Number, this is for people who are trying to find friends or relatives. You may have seen some appeals on social media for those looking for loved ones. Some of those we are told are fake accounts. For those who are concerned about friends or relatives who may have been caught up relatives who may have been caught up in the attack last night, this is the number to call. 0161856 9900. We are going to talk to Katrina Renton at Greater Manchester Police Headquarters as a huge investigation is underway . It has been an horrific night for officers here at Greater Manchester police. This morning, it isa Manchester Police. This morning, it is a fast moving investigation they are dealing with. Across Greater Manchester today, officers have been brought in, not just manchester today, officers have been brought in, notjust into the investigation but visibility so the public has reassurance the police are out there in the face of this terrible tragedy. It is confirmed 22 people died, 59 injured. They are still in eight hospitals across the Greater Manchester area. Chief co nsta ble Greater Manchester area. Chief constable ian hopkins spoke this afternoon and he was quick to say he was treating this as a Terrorist Incident. They believe it was conducted by one man and the priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or is part of a network. The attacker, he confirmed died at the arena and he believed he was carried this Improvised Explosive Device, as we talked about this morning. The very Important Message to the public is not to speculate on his details or share names. This is a complex and wide ranging investigation that is underway. The Chief Constable has impressed on the public, please do not share that information, their priority, he says, is to work with the National Counterterrorism police in network and the uk Intelligence Services to establish more details about the individual who carried out this attack. At high Police Presence in Greater Manchester this morning andi in Greater Manchester this morning and i have seen armed Police Patrolling the area here. The police are also imploring the public to help, if they see any suspicious behaviour be asking it be reported to the Anti Terrorist hotline. 0h 807 89321. Also, if people have any Images Orfootage from 807 89321. Also, if people have any images or footage from last night there would be helpful, can you send that to uk police image appealed. Co. Uk. Uk police image appeal. Co. Uk. We are expecting updates from the police here later in the day. Thank you very much. The latest from Greater Manchester police. We are expecting the Prime Minister to give a statement outside Downing Street. We dont know when, but as soon as she speaks, we will bring it to you live. We know she is planning to visit manchester at some point, were not sure when but we will let you know as soon were not sure when but we will let you know as soon as we were not sure when but we will let you know as soon as we know. I will introduce you to lucy powell and graham stringer, two Labour Candidates, as we are in a general Election Campaign, although it has been suspended. Your response, lucy powell . It is horrific and a heart goes out to the families and friends affected and we all know people who we re affected and we all know people who were there last night, schools across manchester, i think schools across manchester, i think schools across a much wider region will be talking to family and friends today. It is utterly heartbreaking. This is an evil act, a despicable, unspeakable, awful act. It was designed to cause hatred, designed to cause division and we have to respond to that, not with hatred and division but with love and unity and bad is the spirit of manchester we are seeing today. It echoed the words of your collie, andy burnham, the mayor of manchester. He said, this will not divide this city, which is one of the intentions this week. Manchester has dealt with a Terrorist Attack in the past and it appears to be pulling together again ina similarway . Appears to be pulling together again in a similar way . Yes, we have history of this, we did deal with a huge bomb that thankfully did not cause any fatalities, but it caused huge damage to the city. 0ut cause any fatalities, but it caused huge damage to the city. Out of that horrific incident came a rebirth of our city. I am as full of anger as the next person over what has happened, given how many children and teenagers and Vulnerable People involved last night, but we have to turn the anger into a positive action of unity and solidarity. There is the vigil tonight in Albert Square, iam there is the vigil tonight in Albert Square, i am sure many mancunians will want to come to that. But many of the victims will come from further afield from manchester. This arena attracts people from scotland, birmingham, newcastle and everywhere else. Every Community Across the country needs to stand together united in the face of this and say, this sort of action is designed to divide us and bring about hate, but we are going to stand strong. It will not kill the spirit of this city, the spirit of this city is too strong for that and that is the message we want to give out today. How long would you expect the general Election Campaign to be suspended for . What would be appropriate . We need time to grieve. We need time to come together across Political Party lines as we are already doing. We need time to hold hands and have a collective hug and at some point i dont want to put a time frame on it, but at some point in the next few days our democratic activities will continue because these kind of Terrorist Acts are also designed to put at risk our values of democracy, of free speech, of people being able to have a vote and have a say and so weve got to show them that thats not going to be halted and not going to be changed by these sort of activities either. Thank you very much. Thank you. Lucy powell. Good morning. It is 10. 32am. Im Victoria Derbyshire. Lets bring you up to date with what we know this morning. 22 people have been killed and another 59 injured ina been killed and another 59 injured in a suspected Suicide Attack at the Manchester Arena. The venue was filled with thousands of children, teenagers, young adults when the device was detonated to cause maximum devastation. Let mejust tell you where we are broadcast to you this morning. Were on Challe Street Which is a couple hundred meters away from the Manchester Arena. This is a relatively quiet pa rt arena. This is a relatively quiet part of the city centre because it has been cordoned off as you would imagine. There is a huge Counter Terrorism investigation going on. When you go a little bit further up blackfriars straet, around dea nsgate, further up blackfriars straet, around deansgate, Piccadilly Station, thats business as usual it has to be said. Thousands of people going about their normal business, shopping, going to work, meeting friends and so on and so forth. A number of people, friends, we have seen number of people, friends, we have seen leaving the travelodge, the premier inn, who went to the gig, who stayed overnight and we have seen who stayed overnight and we have seen them leaving this morning, heads down, didnt want to talk to the media. Who can blame them . It is fair enough. Too upset to talk to anybody. Just wanting to get home frankly. We know that the Explosive Device sent metal and debris flying. Eyewitnesses reported being blown 30 feet. Paramedics at the scene told the bbc that they had treated some of the wounded for shrapnel like injuries and many in the audience we re injuries and many in the audience were teenagers. This footage shows the immediate aftermath of the explosion. I spoke tojoseph, who was at the concert, when he heard the explosion. When the bomb went off, it was just a panic in the entire room. People would panic and its when you got a lot of pre teen Boys And Girls who, there is a lot of Ariana Grandes demographic, there is going to be mass hysteria and people are going to try and push past each other and people are going to get hurt. We got stuck in a line of people who didnt know the situation. We had to climb over chairs and gates and fences this had been locked to try and get out of the arena, which we did get to do, but it was still terrifying and personally, a horrendous end to a perfect night. Relatives have been using social media to search for missing loved ones. Charlotte campbell hasnt heard from her daughter elivia Campbell Hardy since last night and she made this appeal for information. This is my Daughter 0livia. I havent seen her since 5pm last night, she was at the Ariana Grande concert with her friend. Last night, she was at the Ariana Grande concert with herfriend. Im worried sick. If anybody has seen her, please contact the police, contact somebody, let her know youve seen her, even if you think youve seen her, even if you think youve seen her, just let the police know, please. She is in dark clothes off the shoulder top, her hair is up, her hair is dark. She has got glasses on. She has got high high boots on. Please just somebody get hold of her. Im worried sick. Weve not slept, weve got family out looking for her. Somebody must have seen looking for her. Somebody must have seen her. Just let me know youve seen seen her. Just let me know youve seen her. Just let me know youve seen her. Let the police know youve seen seen her. Let the police know youve seen her. Let the police know youve seen her. Let the police know youve seen her. Let anybody know youve seen seen her. Let anybody know youve seen her. Let anybody know youve seen her. Let anybody know youve seen her. Let me give you the emergency phone number. This is the numberfor emergency phone number. This is the number for people to ring emergency phone number. This is the numberfor people to ring if emergency phone number. This is the number for people to ring if theyre concerned about friends or relatives who may have been caught up in last nights Terrorist Attack. The number is 0161 0161856 9400. The Prime Minister, theresa may, has been chairing a meeting of the governments emergency cobra committee. She is expected to speak shortly and she is then going to come here to manchester to be briefed on the investigation. Ian hopkins is the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester police and he told the assembled media this morning that it was a lone male attacker that detonated an Explosive Device in the foyer, in the area where they are selling t shirts and merchandise after the concert. We will talk to graham stringer. He is a Labour Candidate in this general Election Campaign which has been suspended for obvious reasons. Mr stringer you are a former leader of the Manchester City council and this city has experienced terrorism before, has it not . It has and the city has come through. I mean manchester is a tolerant city and people have pulled together after the huge bomb in 1996. If anything the huge bomb in 1996. If anything the city was a better place both socially and physically after that bomb. As ive been searching for adjectives to describe this event and lucy and richard leese, the leader of the council and andy burnham have probably used all the adjectives, i think i was, and there arent, there arent the right words. I think our response should be redouble our efforts to be tolera nt be redouble our efforts to be tolerant between different communities, not to be critical of people just because theyre different and to be completely intolera nt different and to be completely intolerant of people who start to use violent language whether it is directly in person or whether its on social media. I think those are the sensible responses for what is a horrific event. Ive taken children to the Manchester Arena on a number of occasions and whether it is to a Sporting Event when they see their heroes and whether it is for a concert, the excitement you see in ten, 11, 12, 13 year olds, you cant repeat and to have carried out this bombing at such an event is really beyond adjectives and words. The police, the police have asked people not to speculate on the identity of the attacker on social media as they launch this investigation. Clearly, from what you were just saying a moment ago, graham stringer, you are potentially concerned about some sort of backlash . Well, im concerned the same as Greater Manchester police and the other Security Services are that people jump Security Services are that people jump to conclusions. Whatever those conclusions are when we know the evidence, this is, it appears to be one person and what, over the coming days, weeks, months, we all In Manchester have to live together so the correct response is to redouble our efforts to understand each other, not to criticise each other and to be tolerant of people who have chosen to live different lives. I think that is the right response and ifi i think that is the right response and if i can answer the question you asked lucy about how long this pause in the campaign should go on . I think its right out of respect that campaigning is stopped today. I dont have a figure for that, but i dont have a figure for that, but i dont think it should go fond too long because although we should grieve and we should show our sorrow, we shouldnt give over to any bomber or any violent people the right to disrupt our democratic process so right to disrupt our democratic process so i think we should get back to campaigning and discussing the future of our country as soon as is reasonably and respectively possible. There are some remarkable stories to emerge from last night. People opening their doors to those who were panicking and fleeing, taxi drivers who were driving people away from danger effectively for no fare. People coming together to help in that way which says a lot about mancunians, doesnt it . It absolutely says a lot about mancunians and it says a lot about humanity. Sadly, we often only see the best of people and there are a vast of majority of people in this city, whatever their ethnic, cultural, religious backgrounds are who are good people and who just wa nt to who are good people and who just want to get on with their lives, but often we only see The Very Best of people in awful circumstances. So im not surprised that people went towards t site of devastation to help people and not surprised that people opened their doors to let people opened their doors to let people in and hotels let people stay there who had made arrangements. Its probably absolute to talk about good events after an event like this, but it gives people the opportunity to see that people are decent and beyond decent, brave and good. Thank you very much for talking to us. Thank you very much for talking to us. Graham stringer, former leader of the Manchester City council and a Labour Candidate in this forthcoming General Election. Let me bring you two pieces of news. Examine boards are telling schools that they can rearrange gcse and A Level Exams after what happened here last night. Weve got a joint statement from the exa m weve got a joint statement from the exam boards. They say it will be up to schools to decide whether exams should go ahead. The exam boards say though that no students will be disadvantaged. Schools and colleges affected by the bombing should contact the relevant exam boards and stu d e nts contact the relevant exam boards and Students Affected should speak to their teachers. Youll know that hundreds of thousands of young people are taking exams this week. So exam boards are telling schools that they can rearrange gcse and A Level Exams, A Level Exams after what happened here In Manchester last night. And there were appeals on social media earlier this morning for people to give blood and various Donation Centres were open at give blood nhs has tweeted, we have all the blood required for Hospital Patients at the present time. So there you go. Im going to introduce you now to someone there you go. Im going to introduce you now to someone who has come to pay her respects . Yes, i was at my friends house and i was about to leave and get a taxi and i heard a massive bang and i could see people running in One Direction and the other and i had flowers and ijust thought, its just really upsetting because they were to young and you could see them so excited to go to this concert and for Something Like this concert and for Something Like this to happen, it really does, it does affect you, because its our city. How do you reflect this morning then on what this city has experienced last night . morning then on what this city has experienced last night . I think eve ryo ne experienced last night . I think everyone is really shocked. I mean, so everyone is really shocked. I mean, so many of us, we went to have dinner with each other and so many people were about to walk to the station, left only a few minutes beforehand and anything could have happened and its just the shock of it being targeted towards teenagers and children. I think thats really what hit home about it, but the city is really resilient and people will come together and really show love and we also have to remember that we have to feel love for everyone. Im hearing about some of my muslim friends getting attacked in the street now. We dont know who the attacker is. We should unite and show respect and love for everybody at this time. Youre already hearing that, are you . Yes, from my friends. That it happened to them or they are hearing it from others . A friend of mine said theirfriend, hearing it from others . A friend of mine said their friend, someone spat at them on the street. This morning . This morning and so we have, we have to remember that that is not what we need to do. We need to come together. Thats exactly what people that do these things want to happen. Just to let our audience know we are expecting the Prime Minister to speak ina expecting the Prime Minister to speak in a few minutes, so i may interrupt our conversation. That is absolutely fine. You have been to gigs. Absolutely fine. You have been to gigs, i have been, when you leave you are on such a high, you are joyous. The barbarism and the cynicism to target people as they are leaving . What is more shocking, people leaving, having enjoyed themselves and watch them going into themselves and watch them going into the concert, people dressed up to the concert, people dressed up to the nines, running in and so excited and to have the night end in such a way, especially the Manchester Arena, we have all been there. A sour taste on a live, vibrant culture of live music in the city. I am worried other people will not wa nt to am worried other people will not want to go out in big crowds. We have the Manchester 10k and sunday. I want that to go ahead, but we need more security. We have to get up and keep on going because if we dont, the people who do this, they want us to hate each other and we have two reunite, we have to do the opposite. You will have noticed the increased Police Presence around the city centre, extra unarmed officers and armed officers, do you find it reassuring . A friend of mine said she was in Piccadilly Station and the armed officers took her back. Barrack of us, and it makes you feel apprehensive. Balaclavas. Everyone, teenagers running on their phones crying, i think we need the Security Presence to make everybody feel more comfortable. Thank you very much for talking to us, we appreciate your time. Lets go back to Downing Street and vicky young is there. What is the latest . We understand the Prime Minister will come out shortly to make a statement. You can see the podium is ready for her to come out and make a statement, said those words about what has been happening. We know she was briefed overnight about the attack In Manchester. We also know she spoke to the leader of the 0pposition, jeremy corbyn, to tell him what was happening. The Prime Minister has been chairing emergency an meeting, a so called Cobra Meeting, that included other senior ministers, the defence secretary, the Transport Secretary and on a video call was the labour mayor of manchester, andy burnham. They will be talking of course about the practicalities, about what they know, about the person who carried out the attack and also how they have reunited people with their pa rents, have reunited people with their parents, about the injuries, all of those things will have been discussed. There will have been very Senior Officers from the police and also from the Intelligence Services, talking about whether this person was part of a Wider Network, what the threat level should be. Whether there is the chance of anything on a Wider Network being at large. All of that will be discussed. The reason may, iam that will be discussed. The reason may, i am sure, well update us. She will also be here to try and put into words what people feel about what has happened, peoplesanger, there are emotion and this was an attack that seemed to be targeted at children will be something she touches upon. We feel when she has made this statement, she will travel to manchester, where she will meet the Emergency Services to thank them for the work they have done, not just overnight, but what they will be doing for the coming days and weeks. That is what we expect her to do in the next few hours. Just been talking to one candidate in this General Election, graham stringer, Labour Candidate for a seat in the Greater Manchester area. He said, Labour Candidate for a seat in the Greater Manchesterarea. He said, of course the general Election Campaigning should be suspended, but he was keen it wasnt put on hold for too long, because of the message it would send out in the face of terrorism . It is a difficult one, because people will be too shocked to engage again with that kind of debate we have had, the cut and thrust of the general Election Campaign that has been going on now for a few weeks. It is very difficult to even think about getting back to normal. It is slightly similar to what happened a year ago with the dreadful murder of jo cox. I was speaking to lucy powell and i was with her when that took place. People were so upset and devastated by what was happening, they couldnt think about getting back into the political debate. This is on back into the political debate. This isona back into the political debate. This is on a bigger scale than that. But on the other side of it, we will know politicians will say, you have to try and carry on, try and get back to normal, urging people In Manchester to go to work, try and live life as normally as possible despite what has happened. The sign of that is you get back to the political debate as quickly as possible. Having said that, the Prime Minister has some International Engagements over the next few days. I think it will be difficult to get back to the intensity we have had this week on the Election Campaign. That wont be the Election Campaign. That wont be the same, i think, for at least several days. It is difficult for politicians to judge it. Several days. It is difficult for politicians tojudge it. There several days. It is difficult for politicians to judge it. There are candidates around the country who have suspended their campaigning. 0n the other hand, we have seen already, some people making some political points. Ukips Home Affairs Spokeswoman talking about theresa mays record in the home 0ffice saying, has she done enough to tackle these things . And people jumping to conclusions about who might have been responsible for this attack. Que, we will hear from the mayor of manchester, andy burnham. cannot go into details on that. Those investigations are ongoing. What i can say is, there is a need for the city and the city region to come together. We are making arrangements for a vigil in the ce ntre arrangements for a vigil in the centre of manchester deceiving in Albert Square in front of the town hall. I think it is important we send out a clear message that we are grieving, we are strong and we are together. Unity demonstrated overnight in all sorts of ways across this city . Incredible people just throw their doors open or make theircar just throw their doors open or make their car available to people. It tells you everything about the people of Greater Manchester, then natural generosity. In many ways, it is the best response, it is what the extremists dont want. They dont wa nt extremists dont want. They dont want to think people will work with each other and put themselves out in that way. But that is what the people here are like. They will never beat us. Andy burnham, where the police and Security Services surprised by this style of attack here In Manchester, targeting Young Children . It is for them to comment on the precise nature of the attack. We all feel a sense of abhorrence about the nature of this attack. I am not alone in saying my kids have been at that venue, at that particular time of night, everybody here has a similar experience with a chaos of the event ending and the kids coming out happy and excited. For individuals to go there and seek to terrorise the children and those young people and their families in that way, is the most appalling, evil act i can imagine. Everyone is appalled by this awful tragedy and attack, but do you think communities in Greater Manchester have a responsibility, if there are people they know who may be responsible, surely there needs to be a change in mindset now, do you think . surely there needs to be a change in mindset now, do you think . If people have any information they should make that known to the Counter Terrorism hotline. There is a way for them to do that. But what i would also say, people should avoid some of the ill informed comment on social media. Take the lead from what the police are saying before people jump to any conclusions about this attack. For goodness sake, lets not descend into a situation of mutual distrust between our communities. The individual who carried this out is an extremist and doesnt represent any of our communities, does not represent the people of Greater Manchester in any way, shape or form and it is important that message is heard. Any closer to identifying the attacker . That is not for me to comment on. What is a message to the people of manchester to help them cope through the horrific situation of last night for the young girls and their friends . I am so proud of them because they are already coping and they responded in the best possible way with generosity. With kindness. That was, i think, humbling. It sends a message to the whole world of what kind of people we are here. That for me isjust something that i think should make every person, in this darkest hour, every person, in this darkest hour, every person, in this darkest hour, every person in Greater Manchester will be proud that people responded in that particular way. I would like to thank them for doing that. It is a case of returning to business as far as possible, we will not let these people win. Final question. You have a serious leadership role In Manchester, how will you get people to the next difficult few days, weeks and months . It is an important role, but i will fulfil it. I will ensure the people of Greater Manchester have confidence in what we are doing, as leaders of the city region, myself and sir richard leese, working with the police, the nhs and other Emergency Services. We all have long experience in politics. We will work closely to ensure Greater Manchester pulls together and gets things right and gives the evidence back to the public. I would say, we want to bring the city region back together andi bring the city region back together and i would urge people to show their support by possibly attending their support by possibly attending the vigil tonight, the most Important Message, we must send together is we are united and we will not let them in. Im the very much everybody. We are united, we will not let them win. The words of andy burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, speaking outside Greater Manchester Police Headquarters. He said an extremist was responsible for the attack last night. Clearly, and rightly would not comment on operational details. There will be a vigil this evening this evening in front of the town hall in Albert Square here in the centre of manchester. Manchester city council saying books of condolence are now open at the town hall and on their website following last nights events. Us President Donald Trump has been speaking about what happened In Manchester last night and he condemned the attack. As president of the United States, on behalf of the people of the United States, i would like to begin by offering my prayers to the people of manchester. I extend my deepest condolences to those so terribly injured in this Terrorist Attack and to the many killed and their families, so many families of the victims. We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the united kingdom. So many young, beautiful, innocent People Living and enjoying their lives, murdered by evil losers in life. I wont call them monsters because they would like that term. They would think thatis like that term. They would think that is a great name. I will call them, from now on, losers because thatis them, from now on, losers because that is what they are, they are losers. And we will have more of them, but they are losers, just remember that. Us president , donald trump and his press spokesman, sean spicer has treated the president of the United States has spoken with the uk Prime Minister, theresa may, to offer condolences and support on behalf of the us. It is worth remembering some of the words from the man of Greater Manchester andy burnham, when he spoke this morning, visibly shocked, clearly. He said, it is hard to believe whats happened because they we re believe whats happened because they were children, young people. And this was an evil act and he really did thank the people of Greater Manchester for immediately opening their doors to help the thousands pouring out of the Emmy En Arena after that gig last night, for helping them, for comforting them, helping them, for comforting them, helping them, for comforting them, helping them get away from the scene, taxi drivers driving people away from danger, as andy burnham put it. He said the spirit of manchester will prevail and it will hold us together. We are grieving today, but we are strong. Manchester, of course, has experienced terrorism before. The last time it was targeted was by the ira in1996, last time it was targeted was by the ira in 1996, 21 years ago. Not dissimilar to today, although it was a saturday morning, the city was evacuated because Telephone Warnings we re evacuated because Telephone Warnings were phoned in to gmp, and extraordinarily bad day, no one was killed at the centre of manchester was devastated. Sadly, 17 years later 22 people have been killed and at the moment we know 59 injured. I can give you the emergency number, which is the number to call if you are searching for friends or relatives who may have been caught up relatives who may have been caught up in the attack. It is 0161856 9400. Good morning from manchester. A major Piece Investigation is underway after the shocking bombing ata underway after the shocking bombing at a sell out pop concert near to where we are broadcasting from this morning. 22 people have been killed and around 60 injured in the attack. It is thought a Suicide Bomber detonated a device to cause maximum devastation at the event which was full of young fans of the us singer Ariana Grande. Many were under 16 yea rs of Ariana Grande. Many were under 16 years of age. The Manchester Arena isa years of age. The Manchester Arena is a couple of hundred metres away from here. Just down this road here. Underneath the bridge. It is all cordoned off, of course, as you would expect because of the major crime scene and counterterrorism officers are there. You can see the steps outside the venue where thousands would have poured last night in chaos and confusion as they tried to get out of the men arena, having heard what witnesses have described to me this morning as an enormous explosion, a loud bang. Many knew immediately it was a bomb. And, of course, it is in the foyer, the sort of public area as you go from the men arena to Victoria Station, so if people were trying to leave, they were tripping over each other, they told me. Trying to help each other, trying to find loved ones. The explosion sent metal and a brief flying. Eyewitnesses reported being blown a 30 feet. Paramedics at the scene said they treated some of the scene said they treated some of the wounded for shrapnel like injuries and many in the audience we re injuries and many in the audience were teenagers. This footage shows the immediate aftermath of the explosion. 16 year olds caitlyn and joseph were at the front of the arena when the bomb exploded. They explained to me how they managed to get out. We were literally just we were literallyjust right in front of the stage, one row behind it, and as soon as the stage finished, we heard a massive bang. It was that loud that it literally filled a whole entire rumour that noise. Simmers everyone turned around and wondered what it was, eve ryo ne around and wondered what it was, everyone where the bomb was, they we re everyone where the bomb was, they were all screaming and running back. Did you know immediately it was a bomb . Yes, because everybody was saying it was a balloon but balloons dont make that noise. It is not a balloon or a speaker, because thats not what they make at all, and the next wary eye had was people with guns were going to come in but luckily, that did not happen. Ijust knew it was a bomber from that noise. There was nothing else for it. Josef, what about you . noise. There was nothing else for it. Josef, what about you . I have just chaired a meeting of the government Emergency Committee meeting, cobra, will be discussed the details and the response to the appalling events of manchester last night. A la thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families and friends of all those affected. It is now beyond doubt that the people of manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous Terrorist Attack. An attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation. This was among the worst Terrorist Incidents we have ever experienced in the united kingdom. And although it is not the first time manchester has suffered in this way, it is the worst attack the city has experienced and the worst ever to hit the north of england. The police and Security Services are working at speed to establish the complete picture. But i want to tell you what icam at this stage. At 10 33pm last night, the police were called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena in Manchester City centre near victoria Train Station. We now know that a single terrorist detonated his Improvised Explosive Device near one of the exits of the venue deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately. The explosion coincided with the conclusion of a pop concert which was attended by many young families and groups of children. All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people but this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives. As things stand, i can tell you that, in addition to the attacker, 22 people have died and 59 people have been injured. Those who were injured are being treated in eight different hospitals across Greater Manchester. Many are being treated for life threatening conditions. And we know that among those killed and injured where many children and young people. We struggled to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with Young Children not as seen to cherish, but as an for carnage. But we can continue to resolve to thwart such attacks in future. To take on and defeat of the ideology that often feels this violence. And if the turnout to be responsible for this attack, to seek them out and bring them to justice. This attack, to seek them out and bring them tojustice. The police and Security Services believe that the attack was carried out by one man. But they now need to know whether he was acting alone or as pa rt of whether he was acting alone or as part of a wider group. It will take some time to establish these facts. And the investigation will continue. The police and Security Services will be given all the resources they need to complete that task. The police and Security Services believe they know the identity of the perpetrator but, at this stage of their investigations, we cannot confirm his name. The police and Emergency Services have, as always, acted with great courage and, on behalf of the country, i want to express our gratitude to them. The acted in accordance with the plans they have in place and the exercise as they conduct to test those plans. And they performed with the utmost professionalism. 400 Police Officers we re professionalism. 400 Police Officers were involved in the operation through the night. And many paramedics, doctors and nurses have worked valiantly amid traumatic and terrible scenes. To save lives and ca re terrible scenes. To save lives and care for the wounded. Significant resources have been deployed to the Police Investigation and there continue to be visible patrols around manchester. It includes the deployment of armed officers. For people who live and work In Manchester, there remains a large chord in place around Manchester Arena and Victoria Station. It will be in place for some time. The station is closed and will remain closed while the detailed forensics search is underway. We know that many friends and relatives of people caught up in the attack are still trying to find out what has happened to their children, brothers and sisters, parents and loved ones. So please think of those people who are experiencing unimaginable worry and if you have any information at all, relating to the attack, please contact Greater Manchester police. The threat level remains of severe. That means a Terrorist Attack remains highly likely that the independent joint terrorism analysis ce ntre independent joint Terrorism Analysis Centre which sets the threat level on the basis of the intelligence available to them, will continue to assess this throughout today and in the days ahead. Later today, i will travel to manchester to meet the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester police, ian hopkins. The mayor Greater Manchester, andy burnham and members of the Emergency Services who have come to manchesters aid in its moment of need. And, as financed last night, the general Election Campaign has been suspended. I will chair another meeting of cobra later today. At terrible moments like these, it is customary for leaders, politicians and others to condemn the perpetrators and declare that the terrorists will not win. But the fa ct terrorists will not win. But the fact that we have been here before and the fact that we need to say this again does not make it any less true. For, as so often while the experienced the worst of humanity In Manchester last night, we also saw the best. The cowardice of the attacker met the bravery of the Emergency Services and the people of manchester. The attempt to divide us met countless acts of kindness which brought people closer together. And, in the days ahead, those must be the things we remember. The images we hold in our minds should not be those of senseless slaughter, but of the ordinary men and women who put concerns about their own safety to one side and rushed to help. Of the men and women of the Emergency Services who worked tirelessly to bring comfort to help and to save lives. Of the messages of solidarity and hope of all those who open their homes to the victims, for they are the images that embody the spirit of manchester and the spirit of britain, a spirit that through years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken. There will be difficult days ahead. We offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of those affected. We offer our full support to the authorities, the emergency and Security Services, as they go about their work. And we all, every single one of us, stand with the people of manchester at this terrible time. And today, let us this terrible time. And today, let us remember those who died and let us us remember those who died and let us celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that the terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail. Prime minister theresa may. Lets talk to vicky young, our political correspondence in Downing Street. The Prime Minister describing this asa the Prime Minister describing this as a cowardly attack and saying it was an attack on innocent, defenceless young people. Yes, shes really trying to sum up the hurt that people feel. I think she said it was difficult to understand this cowardly attack and they think the fa ct cowardly attack and they think the fact it was directed at that place, at that time, directed clearly at children and young people, she said it was very hard to understand the senseless nature of all of that. The practicalities of it she says the police do think they know the identity of the person who carried out the attack, who died alongside the 22 others in Manchester Arena, but she said they are not at this point naming that person. Of course talking about Community Standing together, people standing together with manchester, talking about the spirit of britain, but also making the point that we have been here before, the fact it has to be said again, the fact she has to come here, yet another Prime Minister having to deal with this kind of atrocity is very difficult for people to bear. She also made the point that many people are treated in hospital who still, at this point, have life threatening injuries. She said they would now be trying to work out whether attacker worked alone and whether the Police Worked alone and whether the police work will continue in the coming days and she would having to manchester shortly to meet with the police In Manchester, the mayor of Manchester Andy burnham who we had from earlier, and there is do you just get on with your normal everyday life, saying to people that they have to do that . But also urging people to remember not the scenes of carnage, but remember the act of kindness that weve been hearing about so much overnight. Thank you. The Prime Minister confirming she will be travelling to manchester later on today where she will first of be briefed by the chief to Greater Manchester. We can speak now to the director of the International Security study. At the Foreign Affairs think tank, the Royal United Services institute. From the information that we have so far, what are your thoughts on what happened last night . far, what are your thoughts on what happened last night . I think clearly what has happened is a terrible terrorist atrocity, murdering very young people as they were enjoying a night out, so i think clearly we are looking at a fairly callous act. I think, in terms of determining the origin of this attack, in terms of the ideology that motivated the attacker, we just dont really know. Ita attacker, we just dont really know. It a bit too early to be able to say. Clearly, as we heard from the Prime Minister, authorities have identified the individual, but they dont want to share that information yet, but why that is could be because they are trying to understand whether as part of a Wider Network or trying to pin down who this individual was. We have seen on who this individual was. We have seen on social media some who follow organisations like so called Islamic State celebrating what happened here In Manchester last night. Yes, you see In Manchester last night. Yes, you see that fairly regularly U Nfortu Nately see that fairly regularly unfortunately these days after any sort of incident, especially a high profile thing like this which will immediately dominate the news. You will see people who are described as afan will see people who are described as a fan boys are these extremist organisations shout about how wonderful this is and praise the act and seem to show their support for it, but i dont know we can draw anything from that in terms of saying a particular group has been involved in the incident. 0ften these individuals have no connection and no idea what theyre talking about, theyre just catching the crest of a wave and shouting from the rooftops if you will, from twitter. I dont know if we can draw any conclusions from that. I mean, if we look at the statements weve had from the so called Islamic State, this morning they have a daily news digests they put out. They havent had any mention of what took place In Manchester, but its very difficult to draw any conclusion about what that means, does it mean that had nothing to do with it . Does it mean as part of a larger effort and they are waiting to sort of see it Something Else will happen . 0r to sort of see it Something Else will happen . Or will they just to sort of see it Something Else will happen . Or will theyjust not claim it . Theres been instances of operations which had been clearly linked to them but they have not ever claimed, so i dont know we can necessarily draw any direct correlation from what we often see in terms of the noise on social media. What do you draw from the fa ct media. What do you draw from the fact that this was an Explosive Device, as opposed to what is described as something more crude, a knife or a vehicle . I mean, i think theres a number of points to draw from that. The first is to remember that, while we had seen a trend in Terrorist Planning and narratives and ideology of messages, there was and ideology of messages, there was a push towards people using low tech attacks, knives and cars, whatever was in your world around you, it didnt mean the groups of people do wa nt didnt mean the groups of people do want people to try to build bombs. They are far bigger devices, have a far bigger shock effect, and so in many ways groups are still do want to do that. The difficulty with bombs is they are not a bad easy to make. To be able to know that youve made a device which would go off when you wanted to go off is something which usually requires something which usually requires some training or practice or both so i think what we can drop the fact we have a device that went off, obviously when the individual wanted to go off in the middle of this crowd of people as they believe in this concert, would suggest a certain level of sophistication. But what we can draw from that is very difficult to know at this stage, whether it was training or and autodidact but certainly in the past when weve seen loan bomb makers, they tend to be individuals who do campaign, a series of incidents, rather than a one off. Campaign, a series of incidents, rather than a oneoff. Thank you very much. We have a statement which releases the name of one of the teenagers that was killed last night. This is from ramshaw college In Manchester. I will the statement to you. It is with enormous sadness that it appears that one of the people who lost their lives in mondays Manchester Attack was one of our students here at renshaw college, georgina callender, a former pupil studying with us on the second year of her health and social ca re course. Second year of her health and social care course. Deepest sympathies thoughts and prayers go out to all of georgina s family, friends and all of those affected by this loss. We are offering all available support at this tragic time, including counselling with our dedicated Student Support team. So a statement from ramshaw college In Manchester. Expressing enormous sadness that, as they put it, it appears one of the people who lost their lives last night was a pupil at the college. The college says her name was georgina callender, a former pupil studying on the second year of her health and social care course. Earlier we heard from the chief comes to Greater Manchester police, ian hopkins and he gave the assembled media the latest on the attack and investigation. This has been the most horrific incident we have ever faced in Greater Manchester, and one that we all hoped we would never see. Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts are with those 22 victims that we now know have died and the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones. We continue to do all we can to support them, and they are being treated at eight hospitals across Greater Manchester. As you will appreciate, this is a fast moving investigation, and we have significant resources deployed to the investigation and the patrols that people will see across Greater Manchester as they wake up to the news of the events of last night. This will include armed officers, as people would expect, and more than 400 officers have been deployed on this operation throughout the night. To remind you, we were called at about 10 33pm to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena. This was at the conclusion of the Ariana Grande concert. We then received more than 240 calls and Emergency Services responded very quickly to the scene. Emergency members have been established for anyone who is concerned for their loved ones who may not have returned home. These numbers are 0161856 9400. We have been treating this as a Terrorist Incident and we believe at this stage the attack last night was conducted by one man. The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of the network. The attacker i can confirm that id at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an Improvised Explosive Device which he detonated causing this atrocity. We would ask people not to speculate on his details or share names. This is a complex and wide ranging investigation. 0ur priority is to work with the national counterterrorist Police Network and uk Intelligence Services to establish more details about the individual who carried out this attack. We have received tremendous support from across the Police Service in england and wales and Partner Agencies throughout the night. We regularly carry out exercises to test our ability to respond to such incidents and this has ensured a very Swift Response from local and national agencies. I wa nt to from local and national agencies. I want to thank all members of those Emergency Services and other agencies who have worked tirelessly throughout the night in very difficult circumstances. Their response has been quite outstanding. There remains a large courtroom in place around Manchester Arena and the victoria Train Station which will be in place for some time. The station will remain closed while the detailforensics search station will remain closed while the detail forensics search is underway. People should plan a route to work and follow transporter Greater Manchester for updates. Terrorists will attempt to disrupt our lives and create distrust and fear in our communities. We have a long history here in Greater Manchester of our Community Standing together through difficult times. In the coming days, we will be working very closely with Community Leaders to address any concerns and issues communities may have. It is important we all continue to remain vigilant but that we go about our daily lives. We would ask members of the public to be alert and report any suspicious activity to the police Anti Terrorist hotline number at which is. 0r ring 999. As people wa ke which is. 0r ring 999. As people wake up to the tragic news of what isa wake up to the tragic news of what is a sad day for Greater Manchester, the officers and staff of Greater Manchester police, Emergency Services and partners will do all we can to help us get through the difficult days ahead. Finally i would like to appeal to any members of the public that may have images and footage from last night that they believe can assist in our investigations. If they could upload them to uk police image appeal. Co. Ukwe them to uk police image appeal. Co. Uk we would be very grateful. Ian hopkins, the chief comes to Greater Manchester police. This is bbc news. We are going to cross now to stepping hill hospital in stockport where Dominic Hughes is. What is the latest from there we are injured are being treated . Yes, good morning, victoria. This is one of eight hospitals. The Chief Constable fell across the Greater Manchester area, the injured have been taken after last night bombing. The last 13 hours has presented a significant challenge to the local nhs across the Greater Manchester area. Its also fair to say they have risen and met with it successfully so i know most of the injured will have been taken to wythenshawe hospital and the manchester Royal Infirmary in the manchester Royal Infirmary in the centre of the city, but there we re the centre of the city, but there were some cases were brought here to stepping hill, nine major traumas admitted here. I know of those, eight were adults and one was a child falls earlier this morning, i was told that three of those cases we re was told that three of those cases were still in surgery. Six have been moved to wards and regarded as sta ble moved to wards and regarded as stable but three are certainly facing a very precarious position and are still understood to be seriously ill. Now, we also know at this hospital, there were several walk ins, people who drove themselves home from the concert and then came here having suffered minor cuts, grazes, bruises, that sort of thing, so there were significant numbers of people who arrived at the accident and Emergency Department here seeking help in the aftermath but they came here under their own stea m but they came here under their own steam but certainly nine major trauma cases admitted here and there will be more at the manchester Royal Infirmary and wythenshawe hospital and eight other hospitals around the Greater Manchester area. Here they we re Greater Manchester area. Here they were inundated with staff coming in when they heard about the emergency to the extent that they actually had to the extent that they actually had to ask staff not to come in because the next few days will also present a challenge and that brings me a wider point, the nhs as a whole is saying a e departments are operating as normal but they are appealing to people to think carefully, as always, before going into a e because departments have been under extra pressure over the last 13 hours and also they are saying they have adequate supplies of blood. Lotsa people offer to go to blood banks and give blood this morning but they say they have adequate supplies of blood although of course they always welcome people who are winning to donate blood so, as we say, there are eight hospitals treating people still in the aftermath of these bombings and this hospital at stepping hill, nine admitted, three in a serious condition. Thank you very much, Dominic Hughes. We just received this news about the Arndale Centre In Manchester, the big Shopping Centre, which many of you will know, has been evacuated. It is described as an urgent evacuation. Police are evacuating the area around and dell centre. People have been seen running Arndale Centre. Its 100 metres away from here. At a couple of hundred meters away from the Manchester Arena. We heard earlier from the mayor of manchester, andy burnham a little earlier and this is what he had to say. We want Greater Manchester to pull together and get back. If not, that is giving in, isnt it . Very much so. Thats a lwa ys isnt it . Very much so. Thats always the message coming out of Greater Manchester. Back in 1996, the ira bomb, the euro 96 game went ahead the following day and we will not be defeated by these extremists, because they want to divide us. Greater manchester is up place which stands together and we will. The Police Priority is whether this was one man acting alone macro road you couldve been acting with others. One man acting alone macro road you couldve been acting with othersm course i cant go into details on that. Those investigations are ongoing. What id can say is there isa ongoing. What id can say is there is a need for the city to come together so we are making arrangements for a vigil in the centre of manchester this evening in Albert Square in front of a town hall because i think it is important that we send out that clear message that we send out that clear message that we send out that clear message that we are grieving, we are strong and we are together. Extraordinary unity demonstrated overnight across the city. Incredible, the idea that people just throw their doors open the or make their car available to people tells you everything about the people of Greater Manchester. Their natural generosity. In many ways, it is the best response because, you know, it is what the extremists dont want. They dont wa nt to extremists dont want. They dont want to think people will work with each other and put themselves out. They will never beat us. Andy burnham, the mayor of manchester. Just to bring you news from one of our correspondence, dan johnson, just to bring you news from one of our correspondence, danjohnson, the Arndale Centre has been evacuated. We will bring you more as soon as we have it. Lets hear now from the labour leader, jeremy corbyn. Supporting people during the night, any support needed by any of our Services Must be given and we must support those people who have suffered so much, those families whove lost young ones, those families who still dont quite know what is happening with their own children. This is the most terrible and traumatic time. In these circumstances we have to come together. City and the Community Comes together in solidarity and strength, so we carry on, we dont allow these attacks and these people to divide us or prevent us from leading the decent lives we all want to leave. I spoke to the mail manchester come andy burnham overnight and he sent out a strong statement saying that mayor. And also cities across the world have sent their solidarity to manchester date as indeed myself. Your message to the families . Im terribly sorry and sad for you. There can be nothing worse than losing a child in a situation like this. We have to put our arms around and support them, not just today put our arms around and support them, notjust today but in the difficult days to come because trauma like this does not go in a day or two. It is there with them for the rest of their lives. We have to give them all the support we possibly can and also make sure we live in a safe environment in the future and we live in safety together, but we do not allow our community is to be divided by this kind of appalling atrocious act of violence. Jeremy corbyn, the leader of the labour party, echoing the message of the Prime Minister that we cannot be divided as to what happened here last night In Manchester. Let us speak to our correspondent dan johnson about reports that the Shopping Centre here In Manchester, the Arndale Centre, it has been evacuated in the last few minutes. Dan, what can you tell us . Yes, we arejust dan, what can you tell us . Yes, we are just outside the centre at the moment, it is very close to the area that is still cordoned off after last night and the attack at the arena. In the last two minutes, police have swept through the Arndale Centre and the surrounding streets, pushing people back, telling them to move away for their own safety. There were quite a lot of people out on the streets, many have come to see exactly what happened last night, others are getting on with the business of shopping. Crowds of people were pushed back by the police and some panicked and ran and we have even seen panicked and ran and we have even seen people this morning in tears. There was a lot of shock in the city last night as to what happened and nervousness about what may possibly be about to happen. Police have not said exactly what the nature of the state is. One man who was part of that crowd said he had heard something he thought it sounded like shots. 0ther something he thought it sounded like shots. Other people have said that they heard what sounded like a bang. We cannot confirm what that is. I did not hear anything myself but i am on the other side of the building from where the main crowd of people ran from. But we have had reports that one man has been arrested by police here in the last few minutes. The cordon that was just around Manchester Arena has now been extended by quite a large margin at Navdeep Saini all of the arndale Shopping Centre and the number of the streets around that city centre region. There are big crowds of people waiting to see what has happened. Waiting to see if they can get through to carry on their treo or not. People are reading information as to exactly what the nation of this extra threat was and what is probably the police did it has moved to push people back. Police have said that people needed to get away from the area for their own safety but not saying exactly what the nature of the stilettos. We have reports that police have arrested one man and one eyewitness that i have just spoken to has said that i have just spoken to has said that he heard shots. We might be able to put him on the phone to talk to you, victoria. This is daniel. If you could tell Victoria Derbyshire on bbc news what it was that you saw in the police pushed back. Hello . This trip for me. I was sitting in the food court. I had to leave that. The police came and and asked everybody to leave the shops. Everything was chaos. You were in the Arndale Centre just sitting down and the police told you to get out . Yes, that is what happened. How did people react . Police are just pushing us back a little bit further because they have to bring through a van and they are asking people to step away from the road to make some space. It does not look like anything extra is actually happening other than the policejust bringing in some more officers with a van while they are conducting the crowd and asking them to move back to clear some space. Where you afraid, daniel, when the police pushed you back . I was outside of the record for seven minutes or so. Somebody was screaming and running towards me about shots being fired. How are people feeling this morning in the city . I have just got here from the airport. I have just flown in two, three hours ago. Did you hear about what happened last night . Yes. How are you feeling, you are shaking a little bit. I have calmed down a little bit, it is good to be outside. Thank you, we appreciate your time. Everybody is a little bit shaken as to what has just happened, the fact that with everything in mind from last night, the police suddenly telling everyone to move back because there are safety was at risk. There are now armed officers just getting out of the car here, looks like they will go and search the Arndale Centre, check it over. All that we know is that ten minutes ago a large number of Police Officers came down the street and told everybody that they needed to get back for their own safety, they did the same thing inside a Shopping Centre itself, telling people they needed to get out and evacuate the building. It is a large building with lots of shops and hundreds of people in this morning, trying to get on as best as possible with life considering what happened last night. There are reports that some people, including daniel, telling us that they heard a bang that he thought sounded like shots being fired. 0ther thought sounded like shots being fired. Other people said that they heard a bang and there are reports that a man has been arrested by police within the last few minutes. A much larger area cordoned off even on top of the big exclusion zone that was in place after the bomb attack last night at the arena. Now attack last night at the arena. Now a bigger part of Manchester City centre has been sealed off. More Police Officers arriving to try and make sure that this area is safe. Large numbers of people being held back by the police blockade. People wondering what is going on now. It is obviously a very tense time for everyone. They have barely begun to absorb what has happened last night. Young people and families were in the Manchester Arena and now it looks like maybe Something Else has happened, which has caused the police extra concern. Thank you for the moment, dan. As soon as dan gets confirmation of what it is, shoppers in the Arndale Centre herod, we will of course bring that to you live. People are apprehensive after what happened last night. People mostly are absolutely shocked and devastated. Because they cannot believe, talking to people around you, they cannot believe 22 children andjump in the you, they cannot believe 22 children and jump in the were killed at the end of the music gade in the centre of manchester last night. We are going to bring you up to date on this developing story this morning. In the past few minutes, as we have been reporting, the Arndale Centre, the big Shopping Centre here in the centre of manchester, is being evacuated in what police are calling an urgent evacuation. That is about maybe 100m or so from where i am currently standing. Also, we can tell you this morning that very sadly the first victim of last nights Terrorist Attack has been named as the judge nights Terrorist Attack has been named as thejudge in nights Terrorist Attack has been named as the judge in a studying at a local college. She was one of 22 killed, one, a suspected Suicide Bomber, at the end of an Ariana Grande gate. The Prime Minister has confirmed she will be travelling to manchester shortly and has been speaking outside of Downing Street. As terrible moments like these, it is customary for leaders, politicians and others to condemn the perpetrators and declare that the perpetrators and declare that the terrorists will not win. But the fa ct the terrorists will not win. But the fact that we have been here before and the fact that we need to see this again does not make it any less true. For, as so often be experienced the worst of humanity In Manchester last night, we also saw the best. The cowardice of the attacker met the bravery of the Emergency Services and the people of manchester. The attempt to divide us met countless acts of kindness that brought people closer together. And in the days ahead, those must be the things that we remember. The images we hold in our minds should not be those of senseless slaughter, but of the ordinary men and women who put concerns about their own safety to one side and rushed to help. Of the men and women of the Emergency Services, who worked tirelessly to bring comfort, to help and to save lives. Of the messages of solidarity and hope of all those who open their home to the victims. For they are the images that embody the spirit of manchester and the spirit of britain. A spirit that your years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken. There will be difficult days ahead. We offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of those affected. We offer our full support to the authorities, the emergency and the Security Services, as they go about their work. And we all, every single one of us stand with the people of manchester at this very terrible time. And today, let us remember those who died, and let us remember those who died, and let us remember those who died, and let us celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that the terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail. The Emergency Telephone Number for people concerned about friends or relatives who may have been caught up relatives who may have been caught up in the attack is on your screen now. Up in the attack is on your screen now. Earlier, chris phillips, the former head of the. A little earlier, chris phillips, the former head of the national Counter Terrorism security office, shared his thoughts about how the attack was orchestrated. It has involved a lot of planning, for sure. This is a bit of a step up from what we have seen recently with Terrorist Attacks, such as the westminster attack, where, really, no planning was needed to be done to commit that attack. What i would say is that this attack does involve someone being able to get hold of explosives or making explosives and then turning them into a belt and making the effort of putting bolts and things in that in order to kill people, and then has used it at one of the most effective times. So this is a much more professional style of attack, which means, to me, and i have got some really bad news here, this attack is not potentially yet over. I would be very surprised if it was only one suicide belt, if only one set of explosives was used and certainly, i would be really surprised if only one person was involved. So the police will now be working really hard, really hard to try and identify this person that has been involved, to identify those involved potentially in the group and to bring those to justice before they can do any more harm. Chris phillips. The latest on the arndale Shopping Centre which was evacuated about ten minutes or so ago, according to the reuters news agency, it is now reopening. So the arndale Shopping Centre is now reopening, that is according to reuters. Earlier, we spoke to two teenagers who were at the music gade last night and to local residents who were passing on the way home just after the device exploded. We were just right in front of the stage, one row behind it. And as soon as the stage just finished, wejust heard this massive bang. It was that loud that it filled the whole room with that noise. As soon as everyone turned around and wondered what it was, everyone where the bomb was, they were all screaming and running back. Did you know immediately it was a bomb . I knew straightaway it was a bomb. Everyone was saying it was a balloon, but balloons dont make that noise and it was not a balloon or a speaker because thats not what they make at all. The next worry that i thought was that people with guns were going to come in, but luckily that did not happen, but god knows what was going to happen after that. Ijust knew it was a bomb from that noise. There was nothing else for it. Joseph, what about yourself . Personally, my experience of the show itself was incredible. She was flawless as always, but afterwards, when the bomb went off, it wasjust a panic in the entire room. People would panic and it is. When you have got a lot of preteens, Boys And Girls, that is a lot of arianas demographic, and when they are all panicking and trying to get out, there is going to be mass hysteria, people are going to try to push past each other and people are going to get hurt. Ourselves, we actually got stuck in a huge line of people who had just stopped completely because they did not know the situation, so we had to climb over chairs and fences and gates that had been locked to try to get out of doors of the arena itself, which we did in the end, luckily, get to do. But, at the same time, it was still terrifying and personally, a horrendous end to a perfect night. Sam, daniel, come closer. Tell us where you were and what you did. We were just coming back from the cinema at the time. We came out and there were sirens going. We didnt really know what was going on and it was, it wasnt until we were coming, because ijust live around the corner, it wasnt until we got Close To Home and we were seeing people who were crying and it was really distressing. We did not know what was going on until you looked it up. We saw there was rumours that there was a bomb. So, it was really sad. They werejust beginning to cordon everything off, but there is a massive difference to last night to this morning when it was business as usual here. It is like people just passing straight through. Were you able to help . Were you able to comfort people . Well, we, like we said, we didnt know what was going on, because at first we thought maybe somebody had been knocked over by a car, but then the amount of police that were coming and ambulances, we were like, Something Else has happened. We knew something a lot bigger had happened, yeah. How do you respond to the fact that a man with some kind of Explosive Device did this . I felt really terrified that that actually did happen because it is one of those rare occasions that it happens All Of A Sudden. You never thought that you there at that moment that would happen from something that you had spent so many months planning to do and then All Of A Sudden, as soon as that moment has come, someone decides to obviously plan it for many months as well and its terrifying to realise that anything like that can happen no matter what and for us to be in that situation and also with many, many younger kids who are younger than us, like, six, maybe even 12 years. How old are you, emma . Im16. How old are you, joseph . Im also 16. How do you reflect this morning, joseph . Im just trying to get over it. Obviously with the situation that has occurred, its going to take a long, long time for people to get past this. We have come up to 22 fatalities at this point and over59 injured, which, personally, i think is astonishing. It is horrendous the amount of damage not only to infrastructure, but the damage to personal families. There is a lot of people who never got to go home from that concert and personally i think thats horrendous. You heard there from joseph and caitlin, who were at the gig last night and also sam and daniel who we re night and also sam and daniel who were passing by as thousands of teenagers, mothers and fathers emerged from the men arena after that explosion. I am going to introduce you to a rabbi who is from an organisation down the road In Manchester and as a religious leader, what is your message today . We are from the city and we have been out today, supporting the Law Enforcement, the police force that have been doing tremendous work throughout this devastating time. 0ur message to the entire community is we are manchester, every race, colour, creed or in this together. Terrorism does not differentiate between people. We will stand together, stand strong, manchester has U Nfortu Nately together, stand strong, manchester has unfortunately seen terrorism before. This is devastating but we will ghost from and we are in this together. Grow stronger. We must have tolerance and understanding for each other and i would encourage eve ryo ne each other and i would encourage everyone today to do that one extra act of kindness 0magh go out of your comfort zone, or whether it is a neighbour, a friend or someone you have never met, just say a kind word or offer a helping hand, have never met, just say a kind word or offera helping hand, do have never met, just say a kind word or offer a helping hand, do that act of kindness today. Manchester, it will be special, we will be strong and beef we send our power heartfelt condolences to those who have been affected and they will stand together as a community. Have been affected and they will stand together as a communitym have been affected and they will stand together as a community. It is unimaginable what some families will be experiencing right now, those families who have lost a loved one. They might be angry, they will be hurt, they will be in pain, what do you say to them . There are no words. They cannot even begin to imagine what that means for a family. We are here for them. We send our condolences and our love. Each one of them is the world to the entire family and the community. This is devastating. There are no words to describe this. Will. Should different religions come together at this time . This is Something Special about manchester, we have been out during the night giving out blankets, helping people in their time of need, giving out coffee, danish and at lunchtime we will be having a focus point onjohn dalton street with water and sam burgess, people from all communities will come together and volunteer to give out to friends, Law Enforcement agency to bring an upbeat spirit and smile to the committee. Greater Manchester Police have just said that a 22 year old man has been arrested in connection with last nights attack. 0ne arrested in connection with last nights attack. One man has been arrested, he is 23, according to Greater Manchester police. Briefly, there is a vigil outside the town hall here In Manchester this evening will stop would you encourage as many people as possible to go . Yes, this is a time where as a community we must come together and stand together. Firstly, we mourn the losses and then we have to take positive acts of support for one another. So let the verge of not just be the end but the beginning. Thank you. Here is theresa may speaking within the last hour. I have just chaired a meeting speaking within the last hour. I havejust chaired a meeting of speaking within the last hour. I have just chaired a meeting of the governments Emergency Committee cobra, where we discussed the details and the response to the appalling events In Manchester last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families and friends of all those affected. It is now beyond doubt that the people of manchester and this country have fallen victim to callous Terrorist Attack, an attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation. This was among the worst Terrorist Incidents we have ever experienced in the united kingdom, and although it is not the first time manchester has suffered in this way, it is the worst attack the city has experienced and the worst ever to hit the north of england. The police and Security Services are working at speed to establish the complete picture, but i want to tell you what i can at this stage. At 10 33pm last night the police were called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena in Manchester City centre near victoria Train Station. We now know that a single terrorist detonated his Improvised Explosive Device near one of the exits of the venue, deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately. The explosion coincided with the conclusion of a pop concert which was attended by many young families and groups of children. All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people, but this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice. Deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and john b, who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives. As things stand, i can tell you that in addition to the attacker, 22 children have died and 59 people have been injured. Those who were injured are being treated in eight different hospitals across Greater Manchester, many are being treated for life threatening conditions. And we know that among those killed and injured were many children and young. We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed of Young Children not as easy to cherish, but as an for carnage. But we can continue to resolve to thwart such attacks in the future. To take on and defeat the ideology that often fuels this violence. And if there turns out to be others responsible for this attack, to seek them out and bring them to justice. The police and the Security Services believe this attack was carried out by one man but they must now find out whether it was carried out by a wider group. It will take some time to establish these facts and the investigation will continue. The police and Security Services will be given all of the resources they need to co m plete given all of the resources they need to complete that task. The police and Security Services believe they know the identity of the perpetrator, but that this stage of their investigations, we cannot confirm his name. The police and Emergency Services have, as always, acted with great courage and on behalf of the country, i want to express our gratitude to them. They acted in accordance with the plans they have in place and the exercises they have in place and the exercises the conduct to test those plans. And they performed with the utmost professionalism. 400 Police Officers we re professionalism. 400 Police Officers were involved in the operation through the night and many paramedics, doctors and nurses have worked valiantly amid traumatic and terrible scenes. Saving lives and caring for the wounded. Significant resources have been deployed to the Police Investigation and there continue to be visible patrols around manchester, including the deployment of armed officers. For people who live and work In Manchester, there remains a large cordon in place around Manchester Arena and Victoria Station, which will be in place for some time to stop the station is closed and will remain closed while a forensic search is underway. We know that many friends and relatives of people caught up in the attack are still trying to find out what has happened to their children, brothers and sisters, parents and loved ones. So, please, think of those people who are experiencing unimaginable worry and if you have any information at all, relating to the attack, please contact Greater Manchester police. The threat level remains at severe, that means that a Terrorist Attack remains highly likely, but the independent joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, which sets the debt level on the basis of the intelligence available to them, will continue to assess this role today and in the days ahead. Later today i will travel to manchester to meet the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester police, ian hopkins. The mayor of Greater Manchester andy burnham. And members of the Emergency Services who have come to manchesters aid in its moment of need. And, as i announced last night, the general Election Campaign has been suspended. I will cheer at another meeting of cobra later today. As terrible moments like these, it is customary for leaders, politicians and others to condemn the perpetrators and declare that the perpetrators and declare that the terrorists will not win, but the fa ct the terrorists will not win, but the fact that we have been here before and the fact that we need to see this again does not make it any less true. For while so often be experienced the worst of humanity In Manchester last night, we also saw the best. The cowardice of the attacker met the bravery of the Emergency Services and the people of manchester. The attempt to divide is met countless acts of kindness that brought people closer together. And in the days ahead, those must be the things we remember. The images we hold in our minds should not be those of senseless slaughter, but of the ordinary men and women who put concerns about their own safety to one side and rushed to help. Of the men and women of the Emergency Services who worked tirelessly to bring comfort to help and to save lives. Of the messages of solidarity and hope of all those who open their homes to the victims. For they are the images that embodied the spirit of manchester and the spirit of britain. A spirit that through years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken. There will be difficult days ahead, we offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of those affected. We offer our full support to the authorities, the emergency and the Security Services, as they go about their work. And we all, every single one of us, stand with the people of manchester at this terrible time. And, today, let us this terrible time. And, today, let us remember those who died and let us us remember those who died and let us celebrate those who helped, safe in the knowledge that the terrorists will never win and our values, our country and our way of life will a lwa ys country and our way of life will always prevail. This is bbc news, im ben brown In Manchester where police say say they know the identity of the Suicide Bomber who targeted children leaving a pop concert. 22 people have been killed, including children, after a man detonated a homemade bomb at Manchester Arena at the end of a pop concert. Witnesses described the panic inside the venue. We heard this bang and everyone just stopped, there was silence and then there was panic and everyone was sprinting up the stairs trying to jump over the barrier onto the floor. The explosion happened in the foyer of the arena, as people made their way out after a performance by the american singer, Ariana Grande. The Prime Minister has chaired a meeting of the governments Emergency Committee, cobra. This attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives. A major Counter Terrorism operation is under way. The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester police said it was the most horrific incident his force had everfaced. Terrorists will attempt to create distrust and fear in our communities. We have a long history here in Greater Manchester of our Community Standing together during difficult times. 59 people were injured in the blast and are being treated in eight hospitals. 23 old has been arrested In Manchester connection with the attack. Hello, good afternoon from manchester. A city still trying to come to terms with what happened here last night when young people, teenagers, were attending a pop concert by Ariana Grande and a Suicide Attacker struck at around 10 30pm last night just Suicide Attacker struck at around 10 30pm last nightjust at the end of the concept. Behind me you can see of the concept. Behind me you can see the steps where people ran from the concert down the steps in some panic. We are hearing the first of the victims has now been identified. She was 18 year old georgina callandar. This is a picture taken with Ariana Grande a couple of years ago, the first of the victims to be named. 0n the left of the screen there, the 18 year old victim. The first of the 22 who were killed to be named. Lets talk you through the timeline of exactly what happened last night in the chaos and confusion. It was 10 33pm last night, Greater Manchester police we re night, Greater Manchester police were called to the scene here at the Manchester Arena. The explosion happened in the arenas fire as people were streaming through the doors at the end of the concert. The police say there was a single attacker and that attacker died at the scene. He has not yet been named, but its believed the police do know the attackers identity but are not releasing it yet. Surrounding streets were sealed off. Nearby Victoria Station was closed as well. 60 ambulances attended the scene as well. 60 ambulances attended the scene and more than 400 Police Officers were deployed, many of them armed police. There are still accordance in place around Manchester Arena and Victoria Station while forensic work is carried out. All Train Services to and from the station have been cancelled. As for the wounded, 59, many of them with life threatening injuries, they are now being treated ata number of injuries, they are now being treated at a number of hospitals, we believe eight hospitals around the Greater Manchester area. Lets get this report from our correspondence. 0h my god. The moment the arena filled with teenagers, children and parents became a scene of confusion and panic. They scrambled for the exits, fleeing for their lives. panic. They scrambled for the exits, fleeing for their lives. I was like, we need to run, so we ran straight at the door all the way down to the hotel and all i could hear was people crying, screaming, everyone running everywhere, complete madness. Police say the attack was carried out by one man who detonated and Improvised Explosive Device he was carrying. He is thought to have died in the blast. This has been the most horrific incident we have ever faced in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see. Families and many young people we re see. Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and very sadly lost their lives. 18,000 people can get into the Manchester Arena and last night it was filled with young people, number of children are among the dead. I was near the box office when it happened. Waiting for my family to come out. I was talking to one of the girls, who was going on about going away with the kids, florida and that, and it was only for her talking to me and having the door open, i think id would have been injured. Because she had the door open, we got thrown forward through the door. Towards the arena but the explosion was behind us, and it forced us forward and everybody 15 foot behind us, everybody got injured. At least 60 ambulances were sent to the venue where the injured taken to eight hospitals across the city, many treated for shrapnel injuries. Later, Ariana Grande treated the words, broken from the bottom of my heart, i am so, so sorry, i dont have words. Speaking after emergency Cobra Meeting in london, the british Prime Minister that the country is struggling to comprehend how anyone could see a room packed with children as an opportunity for carnage. All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people. But this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives. Have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their livesm these circumstances we have to come together. A city and a Community Comes together in solidarity and strength, so we carry on, we dont allow these attacks and these people to be dividing us or prevent us from leading decent lives be all want to leave. Many of the injured fighting for their lives and the first victim has now been named, teenager georgina callandar, who was in the second year of health and social ca re course second year of health and social care course at ramshaw college in lancashire. We can just bring you a bit more on that first victim to be named. There is a picture of her that you saw, georgina callandar, and the college,. That you saw, georgina callandar, and the college,. She is on the left of the screen by the way with Ariana Grande, a couple of years ago, this picture was taken. The couege ago, this picture was taken. The college where georgina was studying have released a statement saying, it with enormous abbasid appears on the people who lost their lives in Manchester Attacks was one of art student at the college. 0ur Manchester Attacks was one of art student at the college. Our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to all of georgina s friends, family and all of those affected by this loss. That statement from ramshaw college where georgina callandar, the first of fatalities to be was attending. We can talk now to be was attending. We can talk now to somebody who was in the concert at the end of the concert, when the explosion went off. Kirsty lloyd, you got separated from your sister. Thank you very much for being with us on thank you very much for being with us on bbc news. Tell us what happened, what you heard and saw. We came down the stairs of the arena directly in front of the foyer. Me and my friend literally got to the bottom and saw it explode. So we turned around. What does it look like when you saw the explosion . M was a really loud bang and there was fire in the air spread out everywhere. So what happens then . 0bviously everywhere. So what happens then . Obviously you were pretty close to it. Yes, the heat knocked us backward a little bit. I grabbed my friend and we ran back up the stairs into the arena. And did you know straightaway it was some sort of explosion, some sort of attack . Yes, it is definitely a bomb. And so you then run for your lives . Weve heard from a lot of accounts there was panic, almost a stampede. How did you get out of there . We went down the next steps and they were pretty clear because it literally had just happened. So when we got down there, a Security Guard shouted which way to get out. We just ran that way and got straight out really. And did you feel there might be another explosion . Not really, because after we ran, we were listening for gunshots and there were not any. There wasnt anything else going on. And what are your thoughts now today . You have survived this terrible attack and obviously so many young people have lost their lives, so mini injured as well . feel really lucky. There were lots of boats flying around. We were lucky not to have been hit by one of those and family were waiting for your site, where they . Just my sister and my friend had gotten out before us but my mum and stepdad were on the other side of the city having dinner so other side of the city having dinner so they had to come through town to find us. And you were talking about, we gather there were nuts and bolts in the device which you saw flying through the air. Did you see injured people or did you just turn and run . Ididnt people or did you just turn and run . I didnt see anything after the explosion happened when the explosion happened when the explosion happened, but one eye ran down the other set of stairs, there we re down the other set of stairs, there were bodies everywhere. Kirsty lloyd, thank you very much for being with us. I know its very difficult to talk about such a horrendous experience. Kirsty lloyd, she was there at the end of the concert at around 10 30pm when the explosion went off. Many of the injured are being treated at a number of hospitals around manchester. Lets go to my colleague at the Royal Infirmary. What is the picture there . Thats right, the manchester Royal Infirmary, one of the Major Trauma Centres and one of the hospitals dealing with the aftermath of the horrific events last night. Just in the last few minutes, weve had some figures through on the numbers of patients that are various hospitals are treating. Let me take you through those. 59 people are in hospital. Nine of them here at the manchester Royal Infirmary, six at the Salford Royal, six at wythenshawe, 12 at the royal manchester Childrens Hospital, wythenshawe, 12 at the royal manchester child rens hospital, six at stepping hill, six at royal bolton, seven had royal 0ldham and five at the North Manchester hospital. What we dont have our precise breakdowns of how many of those are adults, how many children, but you heard there are 12 at the royal manchester Childrens Hospital alone. We know that the North West Ambulance service sent 60 ambulances to the scene last night and they dealt with 60 walking wounded in addition to the 59 people who have had to be hospitalised. Well, with me is our health editor, hugh pym. Just take you through the specific response here in response to last night s events. Response here in response to last night s events. Nhs sources are making clear that the response here in Greater Manchester went as well as could have been expected in the very tragic circumstances which unfolded. A Major Incident was declared at 10 46pm last night. Very soon declared at 10 46pm last night. Very soon after the incident unfolded, and they declared a Major Incident in Greater Manchester, a decision made by North West Ambulance service and the Greater Manchester authorities. It involves calling in help from ambulances all around the region and from other Ambulance Services elsewhere in the north of england. It also involves the coordination of trauma networks, Major Trauma Centres including here at the manchester Royal Infirmary to coordinate their response and then each of the eight hospitals declared their own Major Incident and that involves calling in clinicians, doctors, nurses and other staff and thatis doctors, nurses and other staff and that is a well rehearsed procedure by the hospitals. Talk to us about the level of preparedness for incident like this. You have got the hospitals preparing and it was made clear that they do rehearse these scenarios, both on paper in terms of planning, and they do have rehearsals such as can be arranged, so rehearsals such as can be arranged, so that every member of staff knows how to respond if a Major Incident is declared and they can call in doctors, nurses and other staff at all times of day. That appears to have happened as effectively as could be expected. 0k, thank you very much for that. Weve had statement from the nhs blood and transplant service. They say their thoughts are with the people affected as a result of last night s attack and they say theres been an overwhelming response from the public and they are thanking the public and they are thanking the public for that, but they do have all the blood required for the time being. This is in response to some rather confusing messages perhaps on social media asking people to continue to queue up and donate blood, but the nhs blood and transplant service say they do have all the blood they need for the moment. They say if you have an appointment to give blood in the next few days, please do keep that appointment, particularly if your blood group is own negative. However, they dont meet anyone who doesnt have an appointment to queue up doesnt have an appointment to queue up at this time. That is the latest here from the manchester Royal Infirmary, not a lot of detail in terms of the breakdown of who is being treated here or the size nature of the injuries, although clearly some of those injuries are extremely serious indeed. But 59 people have been treated at a number of hospitals around the area at the moment. Back to you. Thank you very much indeed. I know you will keep this up to date on the casualties throughout the day. I want to bring your statement we have had just released from the queen to the lord lieutenant of Greater Manchester. I will read it to you, a message from the queen about the attack last night. The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury In Manchester last night of semi people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert. I know i speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all whove been by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or who were injured. I want to thank all the members of the Emergency Services who have responded with such professionalism and care and i would like to express my admiration for the way the people of manchester have responded with humanity and compassion to this act of barbarity. Compassion to this act of barbarity. A message from her majesty the queen to the lord lieutenant of Greater Manchester. Well, im joined here lieutenant of Greater Manchester. Well, imjoined herejust lieutenant of Greater Manchester. Well, im joined herejust outside the Manchester Arena, the police cordoned, by the regional director of northern rail. Your station, manchester victoria, just behind the arena, that was used as a Triage Centre for the injured. Thats right. Firstly id like to say a on behalf of everyone here, as it was a banker said, Railway Staff provide first aid banker said, Railway Staff provide firstaid and banker said, Railway Staff provide first aid and the station itself was used as a Triage Centre in the aftermath of the incident. Station staff are trained in first aid . Thats right, and even those who went rushed to provide assistance making makeshift stretchers, using pa rt making makeshift stretchers, using part of the uniform as tourniquets to provide assistance to those injured. That is where many of the people, the thousands who had been in the concert went, straight into manchester Victoria Station. Thats right, as soon as the explosion took place, there was an evacuation of the arena and it adjoins the station so the arena and it adjoins the station so many people, many thousands of people were evacuated through the station towards manchester itself. Do you think the station staff, did they know straightaway what had happened . They know straightaway what had happened . They they know straightaway what had happened . They knew it was an explosion . They knew they had been casualties . They heard a loud noise. It was different to what they would expect from pyrotechnics. They are used to having concept that and they reacted on instinct with a training to provide help to those who needed it. Just tell us what the situation is at the station . Its a busy station is closed now. Manchester victoria is a busy station. Today it is closed and will be closed for the foreseeable future, a crime scene, and we await the station to be released to us by the police. It would be unfair to specular when that might be. We are running a good service between manchester piccadilly and the other manchester stations and we are running a service between some of the outer stations towards manchester but stopping one or two stations short. Normally after a concert here, people get the train home from victoria . Thats right, its a popular location because the arena is right there. Its easy to get away from their full stop last night U Nfortu Nately away from their full stop last night unfortunately people were not able to do that and we had a close the station immediately because of the type of incident involved and i want to pay tribute to the great people of manchester who came out and provided rooms and shelter and accommodation for those who could not get away via victoria. It is only a few hours after this terrible attack. This is still a city in shock, really, isnt it . Presumably your staff must still be in shock . Thats right, number of staff run towards those who were injured and provided first aid. They have been released now and we are providing counselling to them as part of their recovery, so counselling to them as part of their recovery, so that they can get back to providing a Great Service to manchester. Thank you very much for being with us. Were just outside the Manchester Arena. And manchester Victoria Station. We heard earlier from the Prime Minister. Theresa may. She was speaking after a meeting of the government Emergency Committee cobra and saying how the attack, in her words was appalling, sickening against defenceless young people. We can hear now from the leader of the lib dems, tim farron. The attack on manchester last night, the terrorist outrage is utterly heartbreaking. It has been made all the more clear to me this morning as they spoke to my kids, all of whom each have a friend or more at the gig last night In Manchester, and we know that every Terrorist Attack on our country is an attack on every single one of us. But this is of a different order. This was a Terrorist Attack deliberately targeting children, having the time of their lives. It was cowardly, deliberate, beyond wicked and thats why it is right that we should determine that justice why it is right that we should determine thatjustice must be done and we continue to stand up to those who wish to harm our society, to ta ke who wish to harm our society, to take away life, and take away our liberty and our freedom. Take away life, and take away our liberty and ourfreedom. But, beyond that, its so important that we recognise that last night and throughout this day we see In Manchester and britain at their absolute best, our Emergency Services, whilst people were running away stricken from this outrage, people are putting themselves in harms way, running towards it to help those injured. And we see also the people of manchester opening their homes, their cars, shops and businesses, church halls and every thing else to warmly embrace and get alongside those people who are affected and so much today we can be proud of In Manchester s response to all of this and our Emergency Services to whom we are immensely grateful. Just as we should be determined justice must be done, we should also remember what it is that the terrorists want to. They want is to be scared. They want to give up liberty, ourfreedom, they want to be scared. They want to give up liberty, our freedom, they want us to give up our way of life because they hate all of those things and therefore, today, we should be determined to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of manchester across the country that we will not give in to terrorists and we will continue our way of life and we will continue our way of life and we will do so with determination. So that was tim farron. We are getting a statement from the director general of m15 who is saying he condemns the attack here of the Manchester Arena as disgusting. He says the Security Services are relentlessly focused on their Current Operations, number of Current Operations, he says, and doing all they can to combat the scourge of terrorism and to keep the country scourge of terrorism and to keep the cou ntry safe. Scourge of terrorism and to keep the country safe. That andrew parker, the director general of m15 saying they are relentlessly focused on a number of Current Operations to combat the scourge of terrorism and to keep the country safe. Lets go to keep the country safe. Lets go to the chief medical correspond and vicky young in Downing Street. Vicky, the general Election Campaign suspended and we had that meeting earlier on today of the government Emergency Committee cobra and we gather from theresa may another meeting of cobra later on as well . Yes, thats right, the Prime Minister very much dealing with the practicalities in many ways. She was briefed overnight as the attack In Manchester unfolded and of course capped across all of the details. Today she had an emergency meeting with senior cabinet colleagues but also senior Police Officers, Intelligence Services trying to establish the facts. She came out here to Downing Street to tell us that the police thought they did know the identity of the attacker, but they were not going to name them at this point. They will be trying to establish whether its part of a Wider Network but the general Election Campaign has been suspended. We have gone to a very different place from the cut and thrust of the political debate that was hotting up and now this appalling attack In Manchester which, of course, just means that all politicians are saying the same thing and joining together. Theresa may really trying to what occurred that, not just talking may really trying to what occurred that, notjust talking about may really trying to what occurred that, not just talking about the practicalities of what happens next in the Police Investigation and transport problems and the rest of it, but trying to sum up how people feel about that and making the point that sadly shes not the first british Prime Minister to stand here and do have to react to this kind of thing, but i think she was also trying to end caps it the horror that people have felt and be in comprehension because, as she says, all Terror Attacks are cowardly but this seemed to be at a different level because it seemed to target specifically young people and children and we do sadly know already that some have died. We have heard from the labour Leaderjeremy Corbyn who has said this kind of appalling act of violence against innocent people must be totally and unreservedly and completely condemned. Theresa may has now left Downing Street and gone to manchester where she will meet the Emergency Services to thank them for what they have been doing and the mayor of manchester as well and of course all politicians trying to show they are on the same side in all this and talking about the fact they save British Values must prevail. Thank you. The police are saying they do know the identity of the Suicide Bomber but are not releasing that information at the moment. They have said it was a home made device and it appears from eyewitnesses, we were talking to one a few minutes ago, that they were nuts and belts packed into that home made improvised device blown up at the Manchester Arena behind. Some of the injured have been taken to stepping hill hospital and Dominic Hughes is there for us. What is the picture there . Good afternoon. And nine people work admitted to stepping hill suffering from major traumas. As we heard earlier, eight hospitals in Greater Manchester have been receiving those 59 of the most seriously injured patients, but eight of them were delivered to stepping hill and one of those was a child. Early this morning, three of those people were still being operated on, so they are described as still being in a very serious condition. The other six have now been moved to wards, so they are more stable but the picture last night was the nhs rising to meet the challenge and im told staff who had heard of the incident rushed into to help in accident and emergency and help in accident and emergency and help the operating theatres as well. So many staff arrived they had to turn some of them away because the next few days will also be very busy i think as hospitals care for the injured. And we know also there were a number of people who managed to leave the arena and drive home to stockport but then came to the a e walk ins to be treated for cuts and bruises, so it has been very busy for staff but its fair to say they have met the challenge. Dominic, thank you very much indeed at stepping hill hospital. We were hearing early on from the two younger Prime Minister is coming to manchester later on today. Im going to talk to the sydney peace commander in the operation. Lets go to please hq. Ben, a very fast moving Piece Investigation happening here in Greater Manchester place headquarters so lets go through what we know so far. Police have arrested a 23 old man with regard to the Ongoing Investigation in south manchester. We believe the police know the identity of the attacker who died at the scene and we had the Prime Minister theresa may say earlier that they believe they know the identity of the attacker, but they are not in a position to release the name of. The first victim of course has also been named, georgina callandar, a student of health and social care at renishaw college. The chief comes to confirmed earlier that there were children among the victims. Its a fast moving Police Investigation, as heightened Police Presence in Greater Manchester across manchester today, people investigating of course what happened but also at high Police Presence to reassure local people that the police are there being vigilant for them. Andy burnham was here previously and he had said he had attended the Cobra Meeting and when he spoke to journalists outside Greater Manchester Police Headquarters here, he said they would not be defeated and it was time for the Greater Manchester area to pull together and he said that the 6pm vigil at Albert Square In Manchester this evening would be important for that to show a sign of solidarity of the Community Pulling together. Of course, there will be another Cobra Meeting later this evening when the Prime Minister theresa may comes here to meet with the Chief Co Nsta ble here to meet with the Chief Constable ian hopkins and the metropolitan mayor andy burnham. The Prime Minister theresa may will be here later this afternoon we understand. We expect there to be this high police visible presence to be maintained over the coming period to reassure local people and the police are also asking people for their help. They have said if anybody sees anyone acting suspiciously to call the anti terror hotline. They have a number for that which is only 807 89321. If anybody has any images or footage that the field could be useful to the police from yesterday evening could they please send that to uk police amid appeal. We are expecting updates here from Greater Manchester police throughout the course of this afternoon. Catriona renton, thank you very much indeed. Well, last night thousands of fa ns indeed. Well, last night thousands of fans of Ariana Grande came here to the Manchester Arena to see her in concert. She is an american, 22 year old singer, actress turned singer, and she has tweeted today, broken. From the bottom of my heart, iam broken. From the bottom of my heart, i am so, so sorry. I do not have words. Many of her fans, including young teenage girls, some not even teenagers, when they heard the explosion, at first some of them thought it was the balloons that had been released into the concert that we re been released into the concert that were being popped and some thought it was perhaps a noise in the concert hall or a light that had blown, but of course, it was the Suicide Bomber and 22 people have been killed and 59 injured. Let us talk about the impact about what happened to these young people and those who survived. Emma is a child psychologist who can join us now from london. Emma, obviously, for young people who have seen and heard this and witnessed the stampede, the panic, the fair, this will be very, ties in for a long time. Yes, it is. Imean, i ties in for a long time. Yes, it is. I mean, i think the children will be finding out today in school what has happened and they may not have known by breakfast time depending on when families turned on their phones. So the school is likely to have told them the facts and they are likely to come back with lots of questions, andi to come back with lots of questions, and i think the important thing for pa rents and i think the important thing for parents is to be there for their children, to be emotionally available, to stay off of their own phones and to show off of their own phones and to show off of their own phones and to show off of their own phones and visual and interest and understanding as to how these children might be responding. And how do, you know, therapists and psychologist like yourself help people who are particularly, ties by a horrific event like this . We primarily wait and see, we wait and see primarily wait and see, we wait and see how the natural support network of the young person, the child, kicks in, family, friends, neighbours, communities, everybody rallying together is a huge source of support. So most people are fine, but obviously, we keep a firm eye and make sure that those children, those teenagers who were unduly distressed, anxious, even though the mood as time goes on, are picked up and helped, taking to the gp perhaps referred to cannes and such things but we keep an eye and be watched and listen. And for some of them, presumably there is the trauma of what they saw and heard and being separated from their friends and family but there is always after a terrorist atrocity like this or a disaster, there is often for many people a kind of survivor guilt, when you survived and so many others did not. I think the primary things we can expect in some and not all are possible post Traumatic Stress disorder in the sun. It is impossible to predict which individuals will be affected in this way, but fa are affected, the new experience flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, ruminate array thoughts such as, it could have happened to me, or if i had been any slightly different place, it might have happened to me, the sort of responses. So we just do not know who is going to be affected in that way. And i suppose sometimes these symptoms manifest themselves not just in the days after what happened here, but maybe months andy green yea rs. Here, but maybe months andy green years. Yes, indeed. I mean, iwould expect to see such symptoms possibly taking in the button two to three weeks and knows that will be affected but we know from the research that until about one month after Something Like this, it is better to just let things be, after Something Like this, it is better tojust let things be, not after Something Like this, it is better to just let things be, not to try and fix, not to try and jump in and make it all right and change anything, but just to and make it all right and change anything, butjust to give people the space to grieve, to process, thatis the space to grieve, to process, that is actually the best response, to be emotionally available to them and to listen to them. Emma, thank you very much indeed. Thank you. Emma, the child psychologist joining us thank you. Emma, the child psychologistjoining us from london. Let us speak to the detective david whojoins us let us speak to the detective david who joins us now. Let us speak to the detective david whojoins us now. What let us speak to the detective david who joins us now. What are your thoughts after this horrific attack In Manchester . Iamjust In Manchester . I am just disgusted that they have targeted children and they are the victims. When you think they have specifically gone after children, it gets your hackles up and it has made me very angry. I am very sorry it has happened and that it has happened again, this is the first attack we have had in the uk since 2005 and it is another Suicide Attack and a very difficult time for anybody that was involved back then. You have to think about the families and victims but also the Police Officers who are having to deal with this and are working very, very hard to try to get to the answer about why this has happened as quickly as possible. And obviously the key question for the police Counterterrorism Police here In Manchester and in london is, was this attacker acting alone, a lone wolf, was a part of a wider conspiracy, the wider organisation the wider cell . I think the lone wolf attacks are total fallacy in my opinion. Someone has built an Explosive Device, they are very difficult to obtain in the uk. Somebody has probably got this from scratch using our techs bt was that they have purchased. There is a level of expertise involved in doing so. To make it so that it does not go off when you are constructing it, to be able to move from one place to another and to have the expertise to detonate that. The level of skill and the level of technical expertise, not many people have and i would suggest it is not the work of one person. This is the work of a group of people and we need to be on top of who they are and then get to them as quickly as possible. And from what we are hearing, this was not just an and from what we are hearing, this was notjust an Explosive Device, but it was packed, it seems, with nuts and bolts, making it even more deadly, all of that shrapnel flying through the air. Yes, often with an Improvised Explosive Device, the explosion will contain inside some form of either metal or plastic container and then on the outside of that they will sellotape nails, bolts, nuts and things and attach the bag that contains the device with kneels as well. So the intention is the calzone and the media explosion but after that you have this flying material that will cause extra injuries to others. It is disgusting, a disgusting advice or the way through. A disgusting device. We have to establish why they have carried it out. Yes, 0k, well, the former metropolitan Police Counterterrorism detective, david, thank you very much for being with others and sharing your thoughts on the attack here. My the attack here. My colleague robert halljoins us just outside of the Manchester Arena where the attack happened last night. Robert, such a Beautiful Day hair, blue sky, but manchester really, now the city trying to come to terms with this appalling atrocity. Yes, we tend to use that expression but in this case it is such an appalling shock, such an appalling thing to even think about. People arriving for work today, even if they did not know the news would have gleaned that something was wrong with the railway stations having armed police, Police Patrolling the streets, there is a heightened presence, buti patrolling the streets, there is a heightened presence, but i think the shot is tempered by the fact that people. There is great uncertainty in the case of families who are waiting to find out whether the child be sent to that concert are still alive, where are they . Are they missing . The police are doing their level best to find that out, hundreds of officers. But theresa may touched on it and it happened last night, i was struck by that sense of solidarity, we have seen it before and remarkably, these of events and this is appalling, it does bring people together. Where we are standing here, last night there we re are standing here, last night there were thousands of kids pouring out of that arena, the right frightens children milling about not knowing where their parents were. People do multiple tells, taxi drivers offered lifts, people took their children to places of safety and help them get home, that happened all night, one of the that arena is getting their casualties out, they had to come down a flight of steps. People were carrying the tragedy is down to help the paramedics get them out and it was that sense, you can see that if you look at the electronic posters in the town which now say, pray for manchester, rather the town which now say, pray for manchester, rather than an the town which now say, pray for manchester, rather than an advert, and that is an impression of what will happen tonight at the vigil. 0ne will happen tonight at the vigil. One thing we have just heard is that we will get a medical update at 1 15pm from the Ambulance Service. We should then hear more about those casualties and again, another set of families waiting anxiously. The tragedy is being treated at a number of hospitals around the city, there are so many of hospitals around the city, there are so many casualties. Yes, there have been appeals for bloods, one is for people not to comment was brittle or call the Emergency Services unless they really have to. That situation still exists, there isa that situation still exists, there is a great deal of pressure and a lot of uncertainty about the condition of those casualties which should be resolved within the next hour. In terms of the Police Investigation, they are saying that they know the identity of the Suicide Bomber, but they are not giving details. Of course, the question is really, was this person acting alone or was it part of a wider conspiracy and wider terror cell . The activity outside of the cord and seems to suggest that the following up a number of lines of inquiry. We heard about the Police Activity in south manchester in the latter half of this morning, thats 22 year old man confirmed by Greater Manchester police as being arrested in connection with this. But we do not know what that clinton might or might not be. We will have to follow this up. They have got help from the counterterrorism officers from london, so there is a huge effort going on. What that connection might or might not be. Thank you for that update, robert hall. We can hear from that update, robert hall. We can hearfrom karen that update, robert hall. We can hear from karen and that update, robert hall. We can hearfrom karen and stuart that update, robert hall. We can hear from karen and stuart ford who we re hear from karen and stuart ford who were at the arena picking up their daughter after the concert, after the Ariana Grande concert when the bomb went off. This the concert had just finished and Ariana Grande had just left the stage and the lights came up and everybody started to get their bags together and started to walk towards the staircase, when All Of A Sudden there was this huge, loud bang in the corner, the opposite corner of the stadium. It was just awful, i was trying to tell my daughter to keep calm and obviously we needed to get out safely but at that time we did not know that it was a bomb. But there was no one to direct us anywhere, there were shoes on the floor that people had obviously lost as they were running away and we just followed the masses, we followed everybody out into the street, onto the streets, there was children crying, everybody was on the phone. How is your daughter, isabel . She is in shock this morning. She is quite upset. She has had a few tears. I think this the reality has sunk in this morning that she has gone to a concert. She is just in complete awe of Ariana Grande, she just loves her. We have had these tickets for months and the concert was fantastic and then for that to happen and people of her age have probably died, i think she is realising how serious it is, bless her. So she has not gone to school today, neither of my children have, they were just not in a fit state to go. I am going to talk to your husband, stuart, if i may, karen. Stuart, can you hear me 0k . Hi, victoria, yes. It is unimaginable for most of us, but for you, frantically trying to find your wife and daughter, can you describe what that was like . I dont think i could describe it. It was. It sort of. After the bang, i turned to my son, nathaniel, we were sat about half a mile up the hill away from the arena, and we heard this bang and i looked at him and i said, that sounded like a bomb. So i tried phoning karen and for some reason itjust would not connect and it was just ringing out, or the engaged tone, and we were running down the hill and it was frantic, it really was. And panic set in by that time. How do you reflect this morning . Absolutely awful. You cannot comprehend it. To think of the little children that were there and the sheer panic. It isjust awful. That was karen and stuart ford who we re that was karen and stuart ford who were picking up their daughter at the Manchester Arena. Some breaking news, so called Islamic State are claiming responsibility for this attack here In Manchester which has left 22 people dead and 59 injured. Many of them are young people, teenagers, children, many of them girls who we re children, many of them girls who were here to see Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena. So, so called Islamic State have said that they are claiming responsibility for the attack. We will bring you more on that as it comes into us. We can also hear from Charlotte Campbell, who is one of the very worried and concerned parents who has not heard from 0livia campbell, her daughter. Let us listen to Charlotte Campbell talking about an appeal really she is making to hearfrom her daughter. This is my Daughter 0livia, i have not seen her since five oclock last night. She was at the Ariana Grande concert with her friend. I am worried sick, if anybody has seen her, please contact the police, contact somebody, let her know that you have seen. Even if you think you have seen her, just let the police know, please. She is in dark clothes, off the shoulder top. Her hair is up, her hair is dark. She has got glasses on. She has got thigh high boots on. Please, just somebody get hold of her. I am worried sick, we have not slept. We have got family out looking for her. Please, please, somebody must have seen her at some point. Just let me know you have seen her, let the police know, let anybody know you have seen her, please. That is Charlotte Campbell looking and feeling for her daughter as that concert came to an end around 10 30pm. The explosion went off, we now know that it was a Suicide Bomber and meal that so called Islamic State are claiming responsibility for the attack here. A 23 year old man has been arrested In Manchester today in connection with the attack as well. In terms of otherfamilies with the attack as well. In terms of other families and friends who are worried about loved ones, who are missing after the attack here, but this have set up a help centre in order to help trace those who are missing and that is at the etihad stadium, the Manchester City stadium at gate 11. Well, we have been talking about the injured, the casualties, many of them with serious injuries, some we have been told by the Prime Minister with life threatening injuries and many of them, of course, we know our young people as well. They are at a number of hospitals and one of those is the Royal Infirmary. Michael vick annita mcvey is there for us this afternoon. Yes, ben, just preparing here at the royal manchester infirmary for a News Conference and we are expecting it to happen at around one oclock with it chief executive of the hospital association. It was the North West Ambulance service that deployed 60 ambulances and their crews to the scene ambulances and their crews to the scene of the attack last night, they treated around 16 walking wounded and brought 59 people to hospital and brought 59 people to hospital and they are being treated at eight hospitals, nine of them here at the manchester Royal Infirmary, the Major Trauma Centre for the region. Six at Salford Royal hospital and six at stepping hill, six at royal boat and, seven at the royal 0ldham hospital and five at the North Manchester hospital. The North West Ambulance service have said in a statement just a Ambulance Service have said in a statementjust a short Ambulance Service have said in a statement just a short while Ambulance Service have said in a statementjust a short while ago that of course, they and the nhs and the hospitals, they have a huge level of preparedness for a Major Incident and the practice scenarios, nothing can prepare them for the shock and sadness when it comes to Something Like this, when Something Like this occurs and they are dealing with the real victims of, in this case, this Terrorist Attack. Throughout manchester, many people are looking for ways to express their sadness, there is sympathy for their sadness, there is sympathy for the people affected and the families affected by last nights events. 0ne of them was speaking to Victoria Derbyshire a little while ago. She had come to lay flowers and to make our feelings known, our had come to lay flowers and to make ourfeelings known, our expression of sympathy for the victims. I was at my friend s house just opposite the men arena and we were just about to leave to get a taxi when the heart are at a massive bang, we saw people running, we saw people through the windows running in One Direction and i had flowers and just got it isjust really upsetting because they were so young and you could see them so excited to go and you could see them so excited to go to this concert. For Something Like this to happen, it really does affect you because it is our city. How do you reflect this morning then on what the city has experienced last night . I think everyone is really shocked, i mean, so many of us, we went to have dinner with one another and so many people were about to walk to the station, left only a few minutes beforehand, anything could happen. It isjust the shock of it being targeted towards teenagers and children, that has hit about it. But also the resilience and people will come together and really show love, we always have to remember that we have to feel love for everyone. I already hearing about some of my muslim friends getting attacked in the street. We do not know who the attacker is, people must be aware of that and we should unite and show respect and love for everybody this time. You are already hearing that, are you . From my friends. As it happened to them or are they hearing it about others . My friend said someone it about others . My friend said someone spotted someone on the street this morning. We have to remember that this is not what we should be doing, we have to come together, that is what people who do these things want to happen. Political leaders from around the world and at home have been expressing their shop, hockridge and there is sympathy for the victims. Here is the labour Leaderjeremy Corbyn. Expressing their shock. Any support needed by any of our Services Must be given. We must support those people who have suffered so much. Those families that have lost young ones, those families that still do not quite know what is happening with their own children. This is the most terrible and dramatic time. In these circumstances, we must come together. In these circumstances the city and the Community Comes together with solidarity and in strength, so we will carry on, we do not allow these attacks and these people to divide us prevent us from leading a decent, humble life that we all want to beat. Ito the mayor of manchester, andy burnham, and he set upa of manchester, andy burnham, and he set up a strong statement saying exactly that. He also thanked cities around the world that said the solidarity to manchester today as do myself. Your message to the families of those affected . I am terribly sorry and sad for you. You can be nothing worse than losing a child in a situation like this. We have to put our arms around them and support them, notjust put our arms around them and support them, not just today, put our arms around them and support them, notjust today, but in a difficult days to come because, like this does not go in a day or two. It is they with them for the rest of their lives. We have to give them all the support we possibly can. And also to make sure that we live in a safe environment in the future and we live in safety together. But that we live in safety together. But that we do not allow our communities to be divided by this kind of polling, atrocious act of violence. And this was the reaction from near andy burnham a little earlier today. We want Greater Manchester to pull together and get back together. That is giving in every do not do that, isnt it . Very much so, that is all this message to come out of Greater Manchester. In 1960s in 1996, the ira bomb, the euro 96 game went ahead, we will not be bound by these extremists. They want to divide us, Greater Manchester is a place that police and standing together and be well. The police have said it could be one man or a possible colleague helping him. Is that what you have here . I cannot comment on the Ongoing Investigations but what i can say is that there is a need for the city to come together, so we are making arrangements for a vigil in the centre of manchester this evening and Albert Square in front of the town hall because i think it is important that we send out that clear message that we are grieving, we are strong and we are together. Extraordinary unity demonstrated overnight and always across the city. Incredible, juno, the idea that people would throw open their doors or make their karrar available to people, itjust tells doors or make their karrar available to people, it just tells you everything about the people of Greater Manchester, there are natural generosity. In many ways, thatis natural generosity. In many ways, that is the best response because, you know, it is what beach to miss dont want, to think that people will work with each other and put themselves out in that way. That is what the people here are like. They will never beat us. The Prime Minister theresa may is on her way to manchester and earlier she chaired the meeting of the cobra Emergency Committee and this is what she had to say afterwards. At terrible moments like these it is customary for leaders, politicians and others to condemn the perpetrators and declare that the terrorists will not win. But the fa ct terrorists will not win. But the fact that we have been here before and the fact that we need to see this again does not make it any less true. For as so often while the experience the worst of humanity In Manchester last night, we also saw the best. The cowardice of the attacker met the bravery of the Emergency Services and the people of manchester. The attempt to divide us met countless acts of kindness that brought people closer together. And in the days ahead, those must be the things we remember. The images we hold in our minds should not be those of senseless slaughter but of the ordinary men and women who put concerns about their own safety to one side and rushed to help. All three men and women of the Emergency Services who worked tirelessly to bring comfort, to help and to save lives. Of the messages of solidarity and hope of all those who open their homes to the victims. For they are the images that embody the spirit of manchester and the spirit of britain, a spirit that through years of conflict and terrorism has never been broken and will never be broken. There will be difficult days ahead, we offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of those affected. We offer our full support to the authorities, the emergency and the Security Services as they go about their work. And we all, every single one of us, stand with the people of manchester at this terrible time. And, today, let us this terrible time. And, today, let us remember those who died and let us us remember those who died and let us celebrate those who helped, save in the knowledge that the terrorists will never win. And our values, our country and our way of life will always prevail. And the latest the bbc understands, although this has yet to be confirmed, is that the attacker was british orfrom confirmed, is that the attacker was british or from the uk. Confirmed, is that the attacker was british orfrom the uk. Stay confirmed, is that the attacker was british or from the uk. Stay with those on bbc news. 22 people including children have been killed after a man detonated a bomb at the end of a pop concert In Manchester. A Suicide Bomber detonated a device last night. The explosion happened in the foyer of the arena, as people made their way out after a performance by the american singer, Ariana Grande. We heard this bang and everyone just stopped, there was silence and then there was panic and everyone was sprinting up the stairs trying to jump over the barrier onto the floor. Thousands of children were at the concert