Theresa May has condemned the suicide bombing following an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena as a “callous terrorist attack”.

The Prime Minister made the statement outside Number 10 Downing Street after she chaired an emergency Cobra committee.

At least 22 people -including children- were killed after a suicide bomber denoted explosives at US singer’s show at the Manchester Arena.

The blast also injured at least 59 others following the performance on Monday, May 22.

Speaking today (Tuesday, May 23) Mrs May said: "I have just chaired a meeting of the Government's emergency committee Cobra where we discussed the details of, and the response to, the appalling events in Manchester last night.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families and friends of all those affected.

"It is now beyond doubt that the people of Manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack, an attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation.

"This was among the worst terrorist incidents we have ever experienced in the United Kingdom.”

The Prime Minister added: "We now know that a single terrorist detonated his improvised explosive device near one of the exits of the venue, deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately.

"The explosion coincided with the conclusion of a pop concert, which was attended by many young families and groups of children.

"All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people but this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice - deliberately targeting innocent defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.

"As things stand I can tell you that in addition to the attacker 22 people have died, and 59 people have been injured.

"Those who were injured are being treated in eight different hospitals across Greater Manchester - many are being treated for life threatening conditions.

"And we know that among those killed and injured were many children and young people.

"We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children not as a scene to cherish but as an opportunity for carnage.

"But we can continue to resolve to thwart such attacks in future - to take on and defeat the ideology that often fuels this violence, and if there turn out to be others responsible for this attack to seek them out and bring them to justice.

"The police and security services believe that the attack was carried out by one man but they now need to know whether he was acting alone or as part of a wider group.

"It will take some time to establish these facts and the investigation will continue.

"The police and security services will be given all the resources they need to complete that task.

"The police and security services believe they know the identity of the perpetrator but at this stage of their investigations we cannot confirm his name.

"The police and emergency services have as always acted with great courage and on behalf of the country I want to express our gratitude to them - they acted in accordance with the plans they have in place and the exercises they conduct to test those plans and they performed with the utmost professionalism.