Police boss ACC Garry Shewan said sorry after receiving several critical tweets claiming the training exercise had 'stereotyped' Muslims
A police chief has apologised over today's terror drill at the Trafford Centre after critics claimed it had 'stereotyped' Muslims.
The training exercise involved a fake suicide bomber who shouting "Allahu Akhbar" while detonating explosives and opening fire in the middle of a busy shopping centre.
But Greater Manchester Police came under fire from a number of people on Twitter who felt the portrayal was 'anti-Muslim'.
Dr Erinma Bell blasted: "We need to move away from stereotypes if we want to achieve Real learning. A terrorist can be any one."
And Manchester University Diversity Officer Ilyas Nagdee posted: "Stupid decision by @gmpolice to decide attackers should be seen as Muslim. Maybe that's why Islamophobias gone up 300% in the UK.
"The exercise was about preparation of emergency services and their responses.
"It did not require attackers to be seen as Muslim."
The CommunitySafetyForum said: "This sort of thing panders to stereotypes and further divides us. It will increase anti-Muslim hate crime."
This afternoon Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan of Greater Manchester responded to the criticism with an apology.
He tweeted: "This was unacceptable and I apologise for the offence caused."
Later in a statement he added: "For the past 24 hours GMP, along with other agencies has been hosting a counter terrorism training exercise based at the Trafford Centre which began with a mock suicide bomber detonating a bomb outside the shopping centre.
mirror.co.uk
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