Manchester IRA bomb investigation 'no longer active'

The criminal investigation into the IRA's bombing of Manchester in 1996 is "no longer active" after detectives exhausted all lines of inquiry.

Counter Terrorism Policing North West said the inquiry would remain closed "pending any further evidence or information coming to light about new or existing suspects".

More than 200 people were injured - many seriously - when a 3,300lb (1,500kg) bomb hidden inside a van exploded outside the Arndale shopping centre in the city centre on 15 June 1996.

No-one has ever been charged in connection with the attack, which saw the most powerful bomb detonated in Britain since World War Two.

In an update released ahead of the 30th anniversary of the bombing, counter terror policing said inquiries pursued since an evidence review was announced in 2016 had drawn a blank.

Despite the passage of time, it said Greater Manchester Police had been "committed to holding those responsible for the attack to account and bringing them to justice".

"Some new, albeit limited, investigative opportunities" identified in 2016 had been "exhausted", it continued, and a man arrested at Birmingham Airport in September 2022 was released without charge.

A second man would have been detained and interviewed but died several years ago before he could be arrested.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: "The 1996 Manchester bombing was a significant event in the history of the city of Manchester and beyond.

"Many of us can tell you exactly where we were and what we were doing when the bomb exploded.

"The impact of the explosion was so large that the city-centre architecture physically changed forever.

"It is close to a miracle that nobody was killed during the incident, however hundreds of people were physically injured and many more were also profoundly impacted by what happened on that day.

"It is for that reason, we have been committed to establishing the full picture behind what happened and have continued to review this case, despite the passage of time since.

"Following the 20th anniversary, we took the decision to conduct a review of the original investigation and all the available evidence. This identified some new, albeit limited, investigative opportunities.

"A case of this significance, coupled with the amount of time that has passed, brings complexities so pursuing limited investigative opportunities such as these takes time.

"Those limited investigative opportunities have now been exhausted and the investigation is no longer active.

"Should any further evidence or information come to light about new or existing suspects then we are prepared to review this position again."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.