Man Utd step up security measures

Security was stepped up after newspaper reports of a threat

Manchester Utd tightened security for Tuesday's home game against Charlton after reports Old Trafford was to be the target of a terrorist attack.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Whatton said the decision had been made in the light of media speculation.

It follows the arrest of 10 people under the Terrorism Act on Monday, seven were detained in Manchester.

Extra checks and searches would also be carried out at Saturday's home game against Liverpool, ACC Whatton said.

Suicide bombing claims

Newspapers reports claimed the 10 being held under anti-terror laws had tickets for seats scattered throughout the stadium.

Representatives of Manchester United denied speculation their grounds may have been specifically targeted.

The Home Office and police also refused to comment on newspaper reports those detained were planning to carry out suicide bombings in Manchester.

We are confident that the steps that we have taken to date have significantly reduced any potential threat in the Greater Manchester area Assistant Chief Constable Dave Whatton

BBC correspondent Kevin Bocquet said police were continuing to refuse to confirm or deny whether Old Trafford had been specifically targeted.

Officers said the decision to increase security at the grounds was in response to public anxiety following media claims of a threat, our correspondent said.

He said the police insisted the streets of Manchester were safe - and the 67,000 fans with tickets had not been deterred from attending Tuesday's game.

ACC Whatton said the decision to tighten security had been made to "reassure the public about the safety of both matches".

But he would not confirm or deny reports the ground was to be targeted.

Additional measures

"We are aware of the concerns of the public and of the high level of media speculation about Manchester United Football Club," he said.

He added that the police had consulted with the club and that there was no reason for Saturday's game with Liverpool not to go ahead.

The additional measures included extra policing and searches.

Fans were asked not to take bags and to arrive in plenty of time for the kick-off, with the same requests being made for Saturday's game.

"We are confident that the steps that we have taken to date have significantly reduced any potential threat in the Greater Manchester area," said ACC Whatton.

Further detention

The nine men and one woman were arrested on Monday after 400 police were involved in raids.

Greater Manchester Police is seeking warrants for further detention from magistrates in the city for eight of the suspects.

They stand accused of involvement in the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism.

Six men and the woman were arrested in Manchester, and one person each in Staffordshire, West Midlands and South Yorkshire.

Security services and the Metropolitan police anti-terrorism branch were also involved in the operation.

Police examined a house in West Midlands as part of the operation

Greater Manchester Police said speculation that public buildings in Manchester were targets for terrorists was "extremely unhelpful" but urged the public to be vigilant.

Newspapers had also reported on Tuesday that police were investigating plots to launch attacks at the City of Manchester Stadium and the Trafford Centre shopping complex.

But Manchester City and the shopping centre said they had not been specifically targeted.

Manchester City chairman John Wardle also told Five Live that no specific discussions had taken place with police regarding their stadium being a terrorist target.

The arrested people were of north African and Iraqi Kurdish origin, ACC Whatton said. The suspects can be held for questioning for 14 days without charge.

He described the arrests and searches as "part of an ongoing operation looking at the threat of terrorism across the whole of the United Kingdom".