Manchester is a reminder that the West is failing to prevent terror attacks, and how data banks can help

John Patkin says debate over whether authorities missed warnings about the Manchester bomber underlines the need to consolidate data through programmes that can flag and monitor suspects, and so pre-empt any attacks

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Floral and handwritten tributes for the victims of the Manchester Arena attack, at St Ann’s Square in central Manchester, on May 27. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:05pm, 29 May 2017Updated: 6:34pm, 29 May 2017

The Manchester terror attack brought condemnation from world leaders, candlelight vigils, social media tributes and a string of arrests, along with debate on Islamophobia and whether the attacker was known to authorities.

The modern-day Islamic terrorism experienced by the West is carried out by two distinct types of attacker. The first is a resourceful group or individual, and the second is a lone wolf. An organised attack such as the one in Manchester involved research about the event and venue, as well as the money and skills to build the bomb. A lone wolf, on the other hand, may be motivated by personal frustration and choose a convenient weapon, such as a knife. While organised attacks will have an advance target, a lone wolf may choose a victim at random.

Britain’s Prince William, in his role as president of the English Football Association, and Andy Burnham (right), mayor of Greater Manchester, lay wreaths in memory of the victims of the Manchester attack before the FA Cup final at London’s Wembley Stadium, on May 27. Photo: Reuters

The UK and its Western allies boast of having prevented more attacks than we will ever know, yet there is no evidence of this. Where are the high-profile raids, arrests, prosecutions and sentences? The public relations suggests hundreds of attacks have been avoided, so there should be long court lists of terrorism-related cases.

And it’s not like suspects have been whisked away to some secret detention centre. If suspected terrorists evaporated out of society, human rights agencies, relatives, friends and associates would start social media campaigns.

Britain’s MI5 investigates how it missed warnings about Manchester bomber, Salman Abedi

The reality is that governments and their intelligence agencies are doing a pathetic job. Recent organised attacks have been carried out by people who had been under surveillance and had similar profiles, yet were deemed innocuous. Isn’t that enough to show a pattern of behaviour?