
Police were today accused of 'bowing to political correctness' after issuing a grovelling apology for allowing a mock suicide bomber to scream 'Allahu Akbar' during a terror training exercise.

Greater Manchester Police were preparing officers for a 'Daesh style' extremist assault similar to those that killed hundreds in Paris and Brussels.

Footage of the terror exercise showed a masked 'suicide bomber' storming into the Trafford Centre and yelling 'God is great' in Arabic before fireworks exploded representing his suicide belt being detonated, while 800 bloody volunteers acted out being killed or injured as armed officers swept the mall for other jihadis.

But within hours the force issued a humbling apology after being accused of Islamophobia for assuming terrorists would be Muslim.

The decision to apologise has backfired, with Twitter outraged by the constabulary's political correctness, saying they were right to make the exercise as similar to previous ISIS planned attacks such as Belgium and Paris as possible.

Mistake: Greater Manchester Police were forced to apologise after a man playing a terrorist in a training exercise aimed at preparing officers to combat an extremist attack shouted 'Allahu Akbar' before detonating a bomb

Blast: The unidentified masked man - who police will not reveal as being an officer or an actor - shouted the Islamic phrase for 'God is great' four times as he stormed the building pretending to be a suicide bomber

Suicide: The man lay on the ground as if to be dead after performing his role in the scripted exercise, which also saw gunmen raid the shopping centre

Police invited the media to watch the training exercise which started in the early hours of this morning.

Later they released footage of an actor playing the part of a suicide bomber and blowing himself up after shouting 'Allahu Akbar' four times. The force has refused to reveal if the man was a serving officer.

But under pressure from critics, the force apologised, saying they acknowledged 'that it was unacceptable to use this religious phrase...which so vocally linked this exercise with Islam'.

However, many felt they had over-reacted and 'folded under pressure from the PC brigade'.

Ezekiel Kensington on Twitter contacted the force saying: 'No need to apologise, you were right and followed the pattern of Brussels, Paris, Lee Rigby. PC Brigade need a reality check.'

Twitter user @LPValentine, followed suit. He said: 'Maybe in future training the suicide bomber could shout "I'm blowing myself up for a generic terrorist cause".'

Backlash: Greater Manchester Police's decision to apologise for a 'Daesh style' terrorist shouting 'Allahu Akbar' has backfired spectacularly, with thousands of commentators outraged by the constabulary's political correctness, saying they were right to make the exercise as similar to previous attacks such as Belgium and Paris as possible

Peter Palladas commented: 'And what else does an "extremist Daesh style" terrorist going to shout before detonating his bomb? Merry Christmas?'

And @andyroo2013 added: 'Well @gmpolice and other forces ignore criticism - never heard a terrorist shout avenge the Easter bunny.' (sic)

When the force was first criticised for having the mock terrorist - who police will not reveal as being an officer or an actor - shout 'Allahu Akbar', they were inundated with complaints accusing them of contributing to Islamophobia by identifying the 'attackers' as Muslim.

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.'

Sorry: In a statement posted online (right), Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan (left) apologised for the 'unacceptable' use of the phrase

He later added: 'The exercise was about preparation of emergency services and their responses. It did not require attackers to be seen as Muslim.'

His views were echoed by many others, angry at the perceived perception that such attacks would only be carried out by an ISIS style group.

User @Peter_A96 commented: 'Wonder what @gmpolice will have to say about the 'terrorist' shouting 'Allahu Akbar.Talk about reinforcing stereotypes.'

It was then that Greater Manchester Police issued their ill-fated apology.

In a statement posted online, Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: 'The scenario for this exercise is based on a suicide attack by an extremist Daesh style organisation and the scenario writers have centred the circumstances around previous similar attacks of this nature, mirroring details of past events to make the situation as real life as possible for all those involved.

Initial response: When the force was first criticised for having the mock terrorist - who police will not reveal as being an officer or an actor - shout 'Allahu Akbar', they were inundated with complaints accusing them of contributing to Islamophobia by identifying the 'attackers' as Muslim

'However, on reflection we acknowledge that it was unacceptable to use this religious phrase immediately before the mock suicide bombing, which so vocally linked this exercise with Islam.

'We recognise and apologise for the offence that this has caused.'

Since posting the apology online they have been flooded with Tweets from people keen to mock what is a perceived lack of backbone following the initial response to the inclusion of the phrase in the training exercise's script.

Terry Fletcher posted: 'Now @gmpolice apologise because anti-terrorism drill featured Islamic terrorist. Truly the world has gone utterly mad.'

One man, known as Michael, added: 'Why apologise? The terrorist is hardly likely to shout "Jesus loves you" before blowing the roof off.'

Reverb: Since posting the apology online the Greater Manchester Police have been flooded with Tweets from people keen to mock what is a perceived lack of backbone following the initial response to the inclusion of the phrase in the training exercise's script

The now massively controversial explosion was the first of several to be heard ringing out from Britain's second busiest shopping centre this morning as the counter terrorism training exercise got underway.

The 'suicide bomber' detonated his 'explosive' in the middle of the shopping centre, 'killing and wounding' dozens of the 800 volunteers recruited to test the emergency response to an extremist attack in the wake of ISIS led assaults on Paris and Brussels.

Victims smeared in fake blood were seen running for their lives during the mock-up, while scores more were forced to play dead as the 'terrorists' attempted to seize control of the building.

The exercise has been in the planning since December 2015 and will continue over the next two nights in separate locations - as if to mimic the horrific attack that targeted several different areas in the French capital in November last year, killing 137 people.

It involves the city's police force, working with other agencies including Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service and counter-terrorism officers to examine and evaluate the response to a major attack.

Victims: A 'suicide bomber' detonated his explosive in the entrance to the Trafford Centre in Manchester, 'killing and wounding' dozens of the 800 volunteers recruited to test the emergency response to an extremist attack in the wake of ISIS led assaults on Paris and Brussels

Instinct: The terrifying enactment began shortly after midnight this morning, codenamed Exercise Winchester Accord, when a man dressed all in black walked in and shouted at the would be shoppers

Preparation: The exercise has been in the planning since December 2015 and will continue over the next two nights in separate locations - as if to mimic the horrific attack that targeted several different areas in the French capital in November last year, killing 137 people

Agony: One actor lies screaming in pain after sustaining both facial and torso wounds as a result of the 'bombing' that started the exercise

Also reported to have been involved were soldiers from the SAS.

The twilight enactment began shortly after midnight this morning, codenamed Exercise Winchester Accord, when a man dressed all in black walked in and shouted at the would be shoppers.

Seconds later an explosion rocked the food hall as he detonated a 'bomb', 'killing and wounding' many in the vicinity, all of whom were wearing ear defenders and safety glasses and had been given gruesome, blood injuries by make-up artists.

As their screams echoed through the building, a masked gunman then entered, firing a number of rounds, leaving more people 'dead and injured'.

Raid: The terrifying enactment began shortly after midnight this morning, codenamed Exercise Winchester Accord, when a man dressed all in black walked in and shouted at the would be shoppers

Detonation: He then 'killed' the first of the victims - throwing an explosive that was meant to mimic a suicide vest

Wounded: One of the 800 volunteers involved in the overnight exercise is forced to the ground with a gunshot wound to her right arm

Pleading: Two shoppers seek cover beside one of the Trafford Centre's restaurants as they both lie wounded following the initial attack

Walking wounded: The exercise followed similar simulations to have taken place in London, Glasgow and Essex in recent months

The terror cell then continued in their attempts to maim and kill as the emergency response got underway, their targets hiding behind walls and in restaurants.

A squadron of police cars, fire engines and ambulances raced to the scene, while masked counter-terror officers made their way inside hoping to gain control and quell the deadly assault - an operation which is believed to have been ongoing until 6am.

The exercise followed similar simulations to have taken place in London, Glasgow and Essex in recent months.

Speaking ahead of the mock attack, Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Rebekah Sutcliffe said: 'This exercise is part of a national programme that has been planned extensively for five months.

Cover: The terror cell then continued in their attempts to maim and kill as the emergency response got underway, their targets hiding behind walls and in restaurants

Hiding: Four 'shoppers' - some injured and others just seeking to stay away from the attackers - are pictured hiding in a burger joint

Taking hold: The first of the armed police response can be seen entering through one of the Manchester mall's front doors

All go: An armed policeman is seen entering the shopping mall as officers attempt to gain control of the situation. No real rounds were used in the training exercise

'We have worked closely with intu Trafford centre and other emergency services to test our response to a major terrorist incident in a public place, which for part of this exercise is a shopping centre.

'Residents in the area may hear loud noises and see emergency services activity around intu Trafford Centre during the exercise and I can reassure people that there is no cause for concern. However, I would still urge people to contact police if they do have any concerns or want to report anything and are not sure if it is linked to the exercise.

'Our priority is to stop terrorists from planning and orchestrating attacks and with exercises like this, we can put our response to the test in a safe environment, so we are fully prepared for a time when it may be critical.

'I want to make it clear that this is not linked to any specific terror threat or attack, but is an opportunity for us to make sure we are in the best position possible, should a terrorist attack happen in the North West.

Training: The exercises involved the police force, working with other agencies including Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service and counter-terrorism officers to examine and evaluate the response to a major attack

Real thing: A squadron of police cars, fire engines and ambulances raced to the scene, while masked counter-terror officers made their way inside hoping to gain control and quell the deadly assault - an operation which is believed to have been ongoing until 6am

Ongoing: Over the following two days the exercise will continue in locations in the North West, including Redbank Community Home, in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside on Wednesday

Situation: An ambulance support unit is seen pictured outside the Trafford Centre, which will open again this morning following the exercise

'This exercise has allowed us to build and strengthen our relationship with intu Trafford Centre and I would like to thank them for allowing all the participants to use their centre. Their support in the planning of this exercise demonstrates their commitment to test their response to a major incident and protect their staff and customers.'

Over the following two days the exercise will continue in locations in the North West, including Redbank Community Home, in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside on Wednesday.

Richard Paxton, General Manager of intu Trafford Centre said: 'The police and emergency services do an extremely important job keeping the public safe. This training, planning and preparation to deal with all eventualities is essential and we had no hesitation allowing them to use our facilities for their exercise while the centre was closed.'