North-east trauma and terrorism expert Professor David Alexander has commended the Greater Manchester Police for the handling of last night’s terror attack.
The Emeritus professor, from Robert Gordon University, has worked all over the world during his 30-year career, and has become an internationally-recognised authority on the effects of trauma.
Professor Alexander said: “I thought the police did a great job last night. They kept people informed but they were not alarmist. They gave information discreetly and didn’t give space to hot heads spouting hot air.”
He said in times like these the right response is to help communities to pull together, and not to polarise feelings within them – which is exactly what Manchester is doing.
“People and communities are impressively resilient,” he added.
“We do not need mental health and counselling professionals taking over the show. We should help the normal coping resources in the community. Well, done Chief Constable Ian Hopkins of Greater Manchester Police for trying to encourage this strategy.”
Professor Alexander did not want to speculate on who the bomber or what were his reasons for committing the act.
“Who can say why these people do what they do,” he added.
“We spend far too much time and effort, especially in the earliest days, investigating and speculating about the background of suspects.
“Such acts are multi-determined, and complex. I would not waste so much of my time wondering why such persons did them. They get far too much publicity-which is their aim. Let other experts do this later.”
