Police increase patrols in Greater Manchester ‘as reassurance’ following Liverpool hospital explosion

Senior officers say they want to address people’s concerns but there is no evidence of a direct threat in Greater Manchester.
Jenny Simpson
By Jenny Simpson
Published 16th Nov 2021, 13:35 BST

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Police and forensic officers carry out a fingertip search at Liverpool Women’s hospital on 15 November (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)Police and forensic officers carry out a fingertip search at Liverpool Women’s hospital on 15 November (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Police and forensic officers carry out a fingertip search at Liverpool Women’s hospital on 15 November (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Greater Manchester police have said they have increased patrols to reassure the public following the car explosion outside Liverpool’s Women’s Hospital on Sunday.

A taxi exploded and burst into flames, killing the passenger, who has been identified by police as 32-year-old Emad Al Swealmeen.

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The taxi driver, named locally as David Perry, was injured in the blast and declared a hero by Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson for “diverting what could have been an absolutely awful disaster at the hospital” by locking his passenger in.

Four men arrested following the incident have since been released without charge.

Greater Manchester police’s Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain said: “I know the people of Greater Manchester will have looked on in horror as the events unfolded in one of our neighbouring cities, and many will now understandably be feeling concerned. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reassurance around the precautionary measures that we are taking in response.

“Firstly, I think it is important to stress that there is no intelligence to suggest that there is any direct threat to Greater Manchester following yesterday’s incident. We continue to liaise with our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing North West, who are leading the investigation, so we are kept fully up to date with the very latest information that is relevant to our region.

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“As a reassurance measure, we have increased patrols so communities will notice an increase in police visibility, and I would encourage anyone with concerns to approach one of our officers and speak to them. We are also in contact with our local partners in each district so that we can address any issues or concerns that may arise in your local area.

“I would also like to urge the people of Greater Manchester to remain vigilant, and if you do see anything suspicious then please report it, in confidence, to police via the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 or by visiting https://crowd.in/jfC0PA. You can also make anonymous crime reports by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“All reports made using these platforms are treated in the strictest confidence.”

Related topics:PoliceLiverpoolGreater ManchesterHospital