TRAFFORD Centre bosses have refuted national press speculation that the mall was the target for Islamic extremists, arrested yesterday in pre-emptive police swoops across the north west.

Following Tuesday's arrests in Manchester, Liverpool, and Lancashire as part of a massive counter-terrorist operation, a number of national newspapers identified the Trafford Centre as being on a list of ‘soft’ targets extremists were planning to blow up, along with the the Birdcage nightclub in Manchester, and football stadiums.

But earlier today senior management at the Trafford Centre said they’d had it from the ‘highest level’, they were not a target.

“We have been informed, contrary to some media reports, that there has been no specific threat to The Trafford Centre - and any such suggestion is purely speculative,” director of operations Gordonm McKinnon said.

“We have a very close relationship with Greater Manchester Police and are in regular close contact with them regarding security issues.

“Our 100-plus security team is however constantly aware of the need to remain vigilant, and works in tandem with more than 400 CCTV cameras to provide a safe, secure environment for our customers.”