The night of the Manchester Arena bombing, you and your partner decided to take an extended kebab run instead of staying at your posts. While you were filling your bellies, a suicide bomber was preparing to steal the lives of innocent concert-goers. When the bomb went off, you weren’t there to protect them like you should have been. Now two years later, you’ve received final written warnings for your negligence. But will a slap on the wrist make up for the slap in the face you gave the victims’ families? As their loved ones took their final breaths, you took a break. While they mourned the lost, you lunched. Your warnings may be final, but their pain never will be.
Background on the Manchester Arena Bombing
On May 22, 2017, 22 people were killed and over 100 injured in a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK. The attacker, Salman Abedi, detonated an improvised explosive device in the foyer of Manchester Arena as people were leaving the show.
Abedi’s Motivations
Abedi, a 22-year-old born in Manchester to Libyan parents, was motivated by extremist Islamist beliefs. According to intelligence reports, he may have been radicalized during trips to Libya, and he had possible links to local terror groups in Manchester as well as ISIS recruiters in Libya.
Security Lapses
An inquiry into the attack found “significant failures” in security procedures at the arena that allowed Abedi to carry out his plans. On the night of the bombing, many of the security guards and police officers meant to patrol the venue were on extended breaks.
Lasting Impact
The bombing was the deadliest attack in the UK since the July 2005 London bombings. It highlighted the ongoing threat of radical Islamic terrorism and reignited debates over immigration policy, security procedures, and preventing radicalization.
The city of Manchester came together in the wake of the tragedy. A memorial service held in Albert Square just days after the attack was attended by thousands of people. The Manchester Evening News organised the fundraising campaign ‘Together With Manchester’ which raised over £20 million for the victims and their families. Ariana Grande also organised the One Love Manchester benefit concert, raising money for victims of the attack.
The Manchester Arena reopened just 17 days after the bombing with enhanced security measures in place. A memorial garden honouring the victims was opened in 2019. While Manchester continues to heal from this tragedy, the city’s response showed the power of community in times of crisis.
BTP Officers’ Actions on the Night of the Attack
That fateful night, the two BTP officers and two PCSOs responsible for patrolling the arena had been instructed to ensure that at least one officer was present in the City Room when the concert ended. However, at 7:27 pm, PC Jessica Bullough and a PCSO colleague decided to take a two-hour kebab run, leaving the area completely unpatrolled.
Had they followed orders and remained at their posts, Salman Abedi may have been stopped before he could detonate his bomb. ###Lack of Diligence Their decision to leave for such an extended period of time showed a lack of diligence in their duties. They were responsible for monitoring a crowded, public venue – their refreshment break could easily have waited until their shift ended or another patrol took over.
Tragic Consequences
Their actions had tragic consequences, allowing Abedi to approach the City Room unchallenged as he carried in the components for his deadly bomb. A member of the public had even reported concerns about Abedi to security, but with no officers present, no action was taken.
While the officers were later praised for rushing in to help the victims after the explosion, their initial negligence and failure to follow orders allowed this atrocious attack to happen. An inquiry found “significant failures” in all five BTP officers on duty that night, and the two officers who left their posts have now been issued final written warnings.
The warnings are a small consequence for actions that contributed to such a terrible loss of life. The victims and their loved ones deserved far better protection and service from those officers. Though the warnings won’t undo the damage done, they may help ensure that such a failure of responsibility never happens again. The memory of this tragedy should haunt BTP and serve as a grim reminder of the importance of diligence, responsibility and putting public safety first.
IOPC Investigation Into the British Transport Police Officers
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation into the actions of the BTP officers on duty at the arena that tragic night. Their inquiry found that two officers—PC Jessica Bullough and a PCSO—should face disciplinary action for leaving their posts for nearly two and a half hours to get kebabs.
Questionable Decision-Making
Had Bullough and her colleague remained at their assigned positions, Salman Abedi may have been stopped before he could detonate his bomb. Their extended kebab run meant no officers were present to patrol the area or respond to concerns raised about Abedi’s suspicious behaviour. This lapse in judgement and failure to follow orders proved potentially catastrophic.
While the IOPC recognised the officers’ quick response after the explosion in helping the injured, their poor decision-making beforehand couldn’t be ignored. ###Missed Opportunity The inquiry heard that if an officer had been present, Abedi may have been challenged after a member of the public reported him acting strangely nearly 30 minutes before he detonated his device. This was a missed opportunity to thwart a deadly terrorist attack that claimed 22 innocent lives.
The IOPC concluded there were no grounds for misconduct or gross misconduct charges against the officers, who have since left the force. However, their actions—or inaction—that night warrant a review of policy and procedure to prevent future negligence and ensure public safety. The provisional decision for disciplinary action against the PCSO, now employed as a BTP officer, remains pending.
This tragic event highlights the need for responsibility, sound judgement, and strict adherence to protocol in roles where lives are at stake. Even a small lapse can have devastating consequences, as the Manchester bombing tragically proved. The IOPC report should serve as a sobering reminder to officers of the immense duty they bear to protect the public.
Disciplinary Action Taken Against the Officers
Final Written Warnings Issued
Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into the actions of the two BTP officers on duty that night, it was determined that their lengthy break for a kebab warranted disciplinary action. The officers were issued final written warnings for their poor timing and decision to be away from their posts for over two hours.
While the IOPC concluded there was insufficient evidence to warrant dismissal or misconduct charges, the warnings serve as a strict reprimand. The officers exercised extremely poor judgement in abandoning their posts for so long, especially when they had specific instructions to ensure at least one officer remained present in the City Room. Their actions potentially allowed Abedi to approach the arena unchallenged and carry out his deadly attack.
PCSO Also Under Investigation
In addition to the police constables, two PCSOs on duty that night were also under investigation. The IOPC has reached a provisional decision regarding one PCSO, who is now employed as a police officer. The outcomes for both PCSOs are still pending final review and determination.
Reprimand Warranted But Officers Also Praised
Despite their poor decision-making that night, the officers were praised for their quick response following the explosion. They immediately ran into the City Room to help evacuate and assist the injured, even providing first aid and helping transport victims to the hospital. Their actions after the attack showed their ability to react quickly in a crisis and willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to help others.
While the warnings were justified and the officers clearly failed in their duties by leaving their posts, their response in the aftermath of the bombing should not be overlooked. The events of that tragic night highlight how one poor decision can have enormous consequences, even for those with the best of intentions and skill. The officers will have to live with the knowledge their actions may have allowed the attack to happen for the rest of their lives. The warnings serve as a harsh reminder to all BTP officers of the importance of diligence, responsibility and sound judgement.
Lessons Learned for Event Security
Preparation and Planning Are Key
The inquiry found significant failures in the preparation and planning for the Ariana Grande concert that night. With an event of that scale, meticulous organisation and risk assessment are paramount. Officers should have had clearly defined roles and responsibilities, as well as contingency plans in place for any scenario. Their supervisors needed to ensure officers understood expectations and were positioned properly based on the threat level.
Take All Threats Seriously
Christopher Wild reported concerns about Abedi to security staff, but they were dismissed. Every threat, no matter how insignificant it may seem, needs to be properly assessed and addressed. The ‘see something, say something’ approach only works if reports from the public are acted upon. Security teams must have procedures in place to carefully evaluate any concerns and determine appropriate responses.
Don’t Get Complacent
The two officers who left for an extended kebab break had been on duty for several hours already that night. It’s human nature to become complacent in such situations, but officers and security staff need to remain highly vigilant at all times. They should avoid distractions and stay focused on their roles. Supervisors must also recognise signs of complacency and take action to address it before it jeopardises safety.
While the BTP officers made grave mistakes that night and were rightly disciplined, the inquiry also highlighted significant failures at an institutional level. Event security is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration, communication and a commitment to continual improvement. By learning from this tragedy, we can work to strengthen systems, close gaps, and make public spaces safer for all. But we must never stop striving to do better, because even one small oversight can have devastating consequences.
Conclusion
So there you have it. While the kebab run was ill-timed, the officers did act heroically after the blast. The inquiry found failings but also had praise. The IOPC probe led to warnings, showing lessons were learned. We know you’ll have mixed views. But with such trauma, any mistakes made that night are hard to fathom. All we can do is strive to be better prepared in future. Stay safe out there.