Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi was likely alone when he bought most of the key components used in the improvised explosive that killed 22 people and injured 116 others last month. 

Many of Abedi’s movements and actions were “carried out alone” in the four days prior to the attack, Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson, head of the North West counter terrorism unit said.

“Our enquiries show Abedi himself made most of the purchases of the core components and what is becoming apparent is that many of his movements and actions have been carried out alone during the four days from him landing in the country and committing this awful attack,” Mr Jackson said.

Abedi detonated his explosive device outside an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on May 22.

Police are still trying to locate a blue suitcase the bomber can be seen with in CCTV footage in the days before the attack.

Police have been focusing on Abedi’s last days by delving into his phone calls and watching his movements on CCTV.

“We have also have a good understanding of the likely component parts of the bomb and where these came from,” Mr Jackson said.

Officers were still trying to determine whether Abedi was part of a wider network, which could not yet be ruled out.

They are also keen to find out why he kept going back to the Wilmslow Road area of Manchester and to find the blue suitcase he used during those trips, Jackson said.

Police also raided a property in Rusholme, central Manchester, on Wednesday as part of their investigation.

A 21-year-old man who was arrested at an address in Nuneaton, central England, a week ago was released without charge.

Ten men remain in custody for questioning, police said.

– With agencies