MI5 reveals there are 23,000 terror suspects as Met Police boss says a ‘large part’ of Manchester bomber’s network have been rounded up so Britons should ‘go out and enjoy yourselves’

Britain faces an unprecedented bank holiday terror lockdown.

Amid fears that members of the Manchester bomb cell are on the loose, hundreds of armed officers will patrol major sporting, cultural and even community occasions.

Security at more than 1,300 events this weekend – including the FA cup final, premiership rugby final and Hay literary festival – has been dramatically reviewed.

Police marksmen will also be sent to theme parks, beaches and resorts. Senior officers believe the key players behind Monday’s carnage are in custody but have warned of further arrests in their sprawling inquiry.

Last night a ninth suspect was seized on a bus in Manchester in connection with the bombing of the city’s concert arena. The 44-year-old was being questioned last night. As the national threat level remained at its highest level, ‘critical’:

• Islamic State called for all-out war on the West during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins today;
• Police found chemicals in properties used by 22-year-old suicide bomber Salman Abedi;
• Theresa May said terrorism could never be excused after Jeremy Corbyn linked the Manchester attack with Britain’s foreign policy in a speech in London;
• World leaders declared war on social media giants over their failure to get tough on terror;
• It emerged that up to 23,000 suspects have been investigated by counter-terrorist agencies.

Hundreds of officers were working around the clock last night to piece together the network supporting Abedi. They are sifting through ‘vast’ amounts of evidence after raiding 12 properties in Manchester, Wigan and Nuneaton.

Officials believe they have an almost complete picture of how Abedi, a 22-year-old drop-out, staged the worst atrocity since the July 7 attacks.