Missing suitcase could hold clues to the Manchester bombing – have you seen it?

Officers said they do not believe the suitcase contains anything dangerous – but are keen to trace the item.

They released an image of Abedi wheeling the distinctive luggage through the street in a bid to jog the public’s memory.

Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit said:

“We continue to track the final movements of Salman Abedi and are particularly interested in his whereabouts between 18 and 22 May 2017.

“Today, we are releasing an image of Abedi carrying a distinctive blue suitcase. We know he visited the Wilmslow Road area of Manchester and was also seen in Manchester city centre with the blue suitcase.

“Did you see Abedi with this suitcase between the 18 and 22 May 2017? Where did you see him with it during that time? You may have seen him in the Wilmslow Road area or Manchester city centre with the suitcase or know where the suitcase has been. If you have any details about the suitcase we need you to get in touch and let us know.

“We believe Abedi was in possession of this case in the days before the attack at Manchester Arena on Monday 22 May. I want to stress that this is a different item than the one he used in the attack. This image was taken from CCTV in the city centre on 22 May.

“We have no reason to believe the case and its contents contain anything dangerous, but would ask people to be cautious. Anybody with information about the whereabouts of the case between 18 and 22 May should call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline in confidence on 0800 789 321.

“The public should not approach the case if they see it but contact police immediately on 999.

“This remains a live investigation and if you have any images or footage you believe can assist us then please upload them to UKpoliceimageappeal.co.uk or UKpoliceimageappeal.com as soon as you can.”

Police have now revealed they are searching the Pilsworth Road site for Abedi’s suitcase, which was not used in the attack itself.