Police release image of Manchester bomber with blue suitcase

Police have released a new CCTV image of Salman Abedi featuring the Manchester bomber pulling a large blue suitcase on the day of the attack.

Anti-terror officers also released a picture of a replica of the case in a bid to trace the mass killer’s whereabouts over the five days before the attack on an Ariana Grande gig at the Manchester Arena that slaughtered 22.

The 22-year-old was spotted hauling the distinctive case in the city centre but the police stressed that it was not believed to have been used in the bombing.

Detectives believe the case may hold vital clues if it can be recovered, but warned the public to be cautious if they spotted it.

Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit said: ‘We continue to track the final movements of Salman Abedi and are particularly interested in his whereabouts between 18 and 22 May 2017.

‘Today we are releasing an image of Abedi carrying a distinctive blue suitcase and an image of a replica of the case.

‘We know he visited the Wilmslow Road area of Manchester and was also seen in Manchester city centre with the blue suitcase.

‘Did you see Abedi with this suitcase between the 18 and 22 May 2017?

‘Where did you see him with it during that time?’

He added: ‘If you have any details about the suitcase we need you to get in touch and let us know.

‘We believe Abedi was in possession of this case in the days before the attack at Manchester Arena on Monday 22 May.

‘I want to stress that this is a different item than the one he used in the attack.

‘This image was taken from CCTV in the city centre on 22 May.

‘We have no reason to believe the case and its contents contain anything dangerous, but would ask people to be cautious.’

Anyone with information is asked to call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline in confidence on 0800 789 321.

The public have been asked not to approach the case but contact police immediately on 999 if they see it.

Any footage that could assist in the investigation should be uploaded to UKpoliceimageappeal.co.uk or UKpoliceimageappeal.com.