Greater Manchester fire service ‘unprepared’ for attack

A report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has said that Greater Manchester fire service ‘requires improvement at effectively and efficiently keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks’.

The government inspectorate says that the service must do more to protect the public. The issue is particularly sensitive as the service has previously apologised for serious failures that meant it played ‘no meaningful role’ in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena terrorist bombing in 2017.

The report says three causes of concern raised in 2019 have been resolved. However, it has identified ‘a new cause of concern regarding the service’s ability to respond to major incidents, such as a marauding terrorist attack’.

As part of the inquiry into the bomb attack at the Arianna Grande concert four years ago, firefighters described being ordered by superiors to move away from the arena rather than go to it. They watched colleagues from the police and ambulance services at the scene on television while they were told to stay back.

Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor, Bev Hughes, said there was a disconnect between the report and how the inspectorate presented the report that did a ‘disservice’ to both staff and the public.