CYP Now - Manchester attack: Youth worker 'warned authorities' about suspect

Calls have been made for greater investment in youth services after reports that authorities were warned by a youth worker of concerns about the suspected suicide bomber responsible for an attack at Manchester Arena this week.

The BBC has reported that a Muslim community worker said that he flagged up concerns five years ago, after Salman Abedi, who would then have been around 17, said he "was supporting terrorism" and that "being a suicide bomber is okay".

The community worker said they had come into contact with Abedi when he was studying at Manchester College.

A total of 22 people were killed and a further 119 injured following an explosion at the 21,000 capacity Manchester Arena on Monday night during a sold out Ariana Grande concert.

The National Youth Agency highlighted the early warning as a sign of the value of youth work.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included