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Liverpool Women's Hospital explosion: Police name suspect killed in blast Liverpool Women's Hospital explosion: Police name suspect killed in blast
(32 minutes later)
Emad Al Swealmeen died when a bomb exploded in a taxi outside Liverpool Women's HospitalEmad Al Swealmeen died when a bomb exploded in a taxi outside Liverpool Women's Hospital
The man who died when a homemade bomb exploded outside Liverpool Women's Hospital has been named by police as Emad Al Swealmeen.The man who died when a homemade bomb exploded outside Liverpool Women's Hospital has been named by police as Emad Al Swealmeen.
The 32-year-old was a passenger in a taxi when his device blew up shortly before 11:00 GMT on Remembrance Sunday.The 32-year-old was a passenger in a taxi when his device blew up shortly before 11:00 GMT on Remembrance Sunday.
The driver David Perry escaped before the car caught fire and has since been discharged from hospital.The driver David Perry escaped before the car caught fire and has since been discharged from hospital.
Four men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act and the UK terror threat level has been raised to "severe".Four men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act and the UK terror threat level has been raised to "severe".
Officers believe Al Swealmeen lived at a house in Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area of Liverpool, where counter-terrorism police officers carried out raids earlier.Officers believe Al Swealmeen lived at a house in Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area of Liverpool, where counter-terrorism police officers carried out raids earlier.
Police said he had recently rented an address in Rutland Avenue, near Sefton Park in the city, which has also been searched by officers.Police said he had recently rented an address in Rutland Avenue, near Sefton Park in the city, which has also been searched by officers.
"Our focus is the Rutland Avenue address where we have continued to recover significant items," said Det Ch Insp Andrew Meeks, from Counter Terrorism Police North West."Our focus is the Rutland Avenue address where we have continued to recover significant items," said Det Ch Insp Andrew Meeks, from Counter Terrorism Police North West.
"Any information that the public may have about Al Swealmeen no matter how small may be of great assistance to us.""Any information that the public may have about Al Swealmeen no matter how small may be of great assistance to us."
Al Swealmeen was a refugee from Syria who was befriended and supported by Malcolm and Elizabeth Hitchcott, who knew him as Enzo, when he arrived in England.
Mrs Hitchcott said she and her husband were "just so sad" and were "very shocked" by his death.
"We just loved him, he was a lovely guy," she added.
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Watch: The cab pulled up outside Liverpool Women's Hospital and exploded into flamesWatch: The cab pulled up outside Liverpool Women's Hospital and exploded into flames
Al Swealmeen is believed to have manufactured and brought the device into the taxi.Al Swealmeen is believed to have manufactured and brought the device into the taxi.
Police said he was picked up from the Rutland Avenue area and asked to be taken to the hospital, about 10 minutes away, before the bomb exploded.Police said he was picked up from the Rutland Avenue area and asked to be taken to the hospital, about 10 minutes away, before the bomb exploded.
He is not believed to have been known to MI5, according to BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera.He is not believed to have been known to MI5, according to BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera.
He said he had come from the Middle East and gone into the the UK asylum system, but was also thought to have converted to Christianity and had mental health issues.
"That I think explains why the police have been cautious about pronouncing judgement on his motivation today," our correspondent said.
Terror threat level 'severe' after Liverpool blastTerror threat level 'severe' after Liverpool blast
Liverpool explosion: What we know so farLiverpool explosion: What we know so far
Taxi driver 'lucky to be alive' after explosionTaxi driver 'lucky to be alive' after explosion
Four men have been arrested under terrorism laws in the Kensington area of Liverpool - three aged 21, 26 and 29, who were held on Sunday, and a 20-year-old man who was detained on Monday.Four men have been arrested under terrorism laws in the Kensington area of Liverpool - three aged 21, 26 and 29, who were held on Sunday, and a 20-year-old man who was detained on Monday.
People detained under the Terrorism Act can be held without charge for up to 14 days.People detained under the Terrorism Act can be held without charge for up to 14 days.
Police said the arrested men were believed to be "associates" of Al Swealmeen.Police said the arrested men were believed to be "associates" of Al Swealmeen.
The rise in the threat level is not based on specific intelligence of an ongoing threat in Liverpool.The rise in the threat level is not based on specific intelligence of an ongoing threat in Liverpool.
Rather it is based on an overall assessment by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre.Rather it is based on an overall assessment by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre.
They have looked at the fact that there have been two incidents in the last month - the killing of Sir David Amess MP and now Liverpool - and judged that the overall picture has changed.They have looked at the fact that there have been two incidents in the last month - the killing of Sir David Amess MP and now Liverpool - and judged that the overall picture has changed.
It is not totally clear what the cause is - some speculate about people being inspired by international events, others wonder if it is to do with people emerging out of lockdown after having been radicalised online.It is not totally clear what the cause is - some speculate about people being inspired by international events, others wonder if it is to do with people emerging out of lockdown after having been radicalised online.
Earlier, police said Mr Perry had been released from hospital after being treated for his injuries.Earlier, police said Mr Perry had been released from hospital after being treated for his injuries.
Posting on Facebook, the taxi driver's wife Rachel said he was "lucky to be alive".Posting on Facebook, the taxi driver's wife Rachel said he was "lucky to be alive".
"The explosion happened whilst he was in the car and how he managed to escape is an utter miracle," she added."The explosion happened whilst he was in the car and how he managed to escape is an utter miracle," she added.
Police confirmed a controlled explosion had been carried out as a precaution in the Sefton Park area at about 16:00 on Monday as part of the investigation.Police confirmed a controlled explosion had been carried out as a precaution in the Sefton Park area at about 16:00 on Monday as part of the investigation.
Taxi driver David Perry has been released from hospitalTaxi driver David Perry has been released from hospital
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the terror threat level had been raised from "substantial" to "severe", meaning an attack is "highly likely", because the explosion in Liverpool was the second incident in a month.Home Secretary Priti Patel said the terror threat level had been raised from "substantial" to "severe", meaning an attack is "highly likely", because the explosion in Liverpool was the second incident in a month.
The death of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed multiple times during a meeting with his constituents in Essex on 15 October, has been treated as a terrorist incident by police.The death of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed multiple times during a meeting with his constituents in Essex on 15 October, has been treated as a terrorist incident by police.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, one of Counter Terrorism Policing's senior national co-ordinators, said the change was a "precautionary measure and not based on any specific threat", adding that the public "should not be alarmed by this change".Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, one of Counter Terrorism Policing's senior national co-ordinators, said the change was a "precautionary measure and not based on any specific threat", adding that the public "should not be alarmed by this change".
Patients have been told to attend appointments at Liverpool Women's Hospital as normal.Patients have been told to attend appointments at Liverpool Women's Hospital as normal.
The hospital's chief executive, Kathryn Thomson, paid tribute to "brave and dedicated" staff and emergency service workers but added the last two days had been "extremely upsetting and traumatising".The hospital's chief executive, Kathryn Thomson, paid tribute to "brave and dedicated" staff and emergency service workers but added the last two days had been "extremely upsetting and traumatising".
Additional reporting by Doug Faulkner
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