Police in Manchester said they have arrested a fifth suspect in connection with the terror attack at Ariana Grande’s Manchester Arena concert.
The suspect was carrying a package at the time of arrest in the nearby area of Wigan and police have cordoned off the area while they investigate the package.
It comes as Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said Wednesday that law enforcement are investigating whether the suicide bomber was part of “a network.”
“I think it’s very clear that this is a network that we’re investigating,” Hopkins told reporters according to the Associated Press. “There’s extensive investigations going on and activity taking place across greater Manchester as we speak.”
WATCH: Hopkins said they have spoken to all of the immediate family members of those who died. Post continues…
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He confirmed that three other men were arrested Wednesday following the arrest of another suspect on Tuesday, believed to be the bomber’s older brother. None of the suspects have been named by police and the role they might have played in the attack has not been disclosed.
Hopkins also said that an off-duty police officer was among those killed in the blast.
“Very sadly, I can confirm that one of the victims is a serving police officer,” Hopkins said. “But in respecting their family’s wishes, I will make no further comment at this stage.”
Several media outlets report the unnamed officer’s husband was critically injured in the attack and her children were also hurt.
People light candles in solidarity with those killed and injured in the terror attack.
Britain’s terror threat level has been raised to its highest possible level in response to the bombing, an explosion that killed 22 people and injured 59 others.
Prime Minister Theresa May said that hundreds of soldiers were mobilizing to help protect key locations from an “imminent” attack.
In a live address, Ms May said: “It is a possibility we cannot ignore that there is a wider group of individuals linked to this attack.”
“The joint terrorist analysis centre has concluded that the threat level should be increased for the time being from severe to critical.”
“This means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains highly likely but a further attack is imminent.”
She added: “I do not want the public to feel unduly alarmed. We have faced a serious terror threat in our country for many years and the operational response I have just outlined is a proportionate and sensible response to the threat that our security experts judge we face.”
The militant group Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the horrific attack, but officials have not yet confirmed if this is true.
WATCH: Dashcam footage captures moment of explosion.
