Synagogue attacker who killed two was a ‘terrorist targeting Jews because they are Jews’, says Starmer – latest updates

Keir Starmer has visited a synagogue this evening, Press Association is reporting.

The leader of Manchester city council, Bev Craig, said the attack will leave a “deep mark” on the community.

She said: “Tonight across Manchester, residents are horrified by the antisemitic terrorist attack that we’ve witnessed … We know that this will leave a deep mark on our community here in Manchester, as Jewish people were attacked on their holiest day as they went to worship. But know this, in Manchester we will stand with and support our Jewish friends, our Jewish community, our neighbours, fellow residents.

“We’ll stand together, wrapping our arms around them with the love and the support that they need. We will work with agencies to make sure right across the city, everyone in our city feels safe.

“Tonight is a difficult moment of sadness and reflection, but I know that Manchester will come together - they’ll show the unity that we’re proud off, and they’ll stand with in declaring that hate has no place in our city.”

Worshippers had arrived early for a special morning service at Heaton Park shul in north Manchester. It was Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, and rabbi Daniel Walker was leading prayers in his long white robes. By 9.31am, they were stained with blood.

As people made their way to the synagogue, they saw a small black car being driven erratically before it crashed into the gates. At first, some thought the driver had suffered a heart attack. But within seconds he had jumped out of the vehicle, dressed all in black, and had started stabbing those nearby.

It was “a rampage,” said one witness. An elderly man lay motionless and bleeding at the entrance to the shul. Another victim lay crumpled beneath the car bonnet. In the courtyard, the attacker appeared to be trying to break into the synagogue, stabbing and slashing at the windows as worshippers barricaded the doors.

Within six minutes, the knifeman lay prone after being shot by armed officers. As he lay on the floor, terrified passersby could see three white objects strapped to his waist. “He’s got a bomb!” shouted one man, as those inside the synagogue stared, terrified, from the windows above. “Shoot him!”

The attacker then tried to sit up. “Shoot him!” a witness shouted again. One of the officers fired a final, fatal shot.

In just six minutes, the assailant had brought terror to the Jewish community on their holiest day.

You can read our North of England editor’s full account here

Related: Six minutes of terror: how Manchester synagogue attack unfolded

Bishop of Manchester David Walker said he first knew something had happened when he heard the police response. “I live only five minutes drive away from here, the first we knew was we heard the helicopters flying overhead,” he said, “and we knew that’s not a good sign when you hear that in the morning.”

“I know the Rabbi here,” he added, and said stories of the Rabbi, Daniel Walker, stepping in to aid congregants in the aftermath were “entirely in character,” describing him as “a good man, a lovely man,” who “would do what he could to protect his people.”

“I know lots of the people who live in this community, and I just feel for them in their shock at what’s been done to them,” he said. “We’re living in a time of increased tensions as we know. I think the communities in Manchester have been good at pulling together in times of crisis. We did that in 2017 when we had the Arena attack, we worked hard to show that you don’t beat hatred by showing more hate, you beat hatred by showing love. I hope that’s what we will do this time round.”

“The people who do these kind of atrocities, they want to divide us, that’s the whole point of it,” he added. “They want to drive us apart from each other. So the best defiance we can show is to be even more united, even more determined to hold together than we were before.”

Manchester Rusholme MP Afzal Khan, who lives close to the synagogue, said he was “shocked and horrified” when he heard about the attack. “It’s horrific, it’s terrible, nobody wants to see this,” he said. “And this is not what reflects Manchester, this is not what Manchester is all about.”

He said that different faith communities in the area typically coexist peacefully. “In Manchester we have experience of difficult circumstances, and we’ve seen how we come together,” he said. “We also have experience of celebrating together, sharing of activities, festivals together. I’m someone who has done more than three decades of work of bringing communities together here in Greater Manchester.”

“I would say people get on,” he said, “this actually is out of place, that’s why I found it so shocking, and why I found it so horrific.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government “will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe”.

She said: “I am horrified by the antisemitic terrorist attack at a synagogue on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. My prayers are with the victims and the families of all of those who are murdered here today.

“I want to thank the police and all of the emergency services for the speed of their response and also for their considerable bravery. The government has stepped up security at synagogues across the whole of the country, and we will do whatever is required to keep our Jewish community safe.

“I know that there are many questions that are still to be answered, and rest assured, they will be answered as quickly as possible, it will just take a little time for us to establish exactly what has happened here, but we will share more information as soon as we are able to.

“What I do want to say is to those who seek to divide us, they will fail.”

The suspect was shot dead after armed officers spotted what seemed to be a bomb belt on him. The fake bomb belt technique has been used in two previous Islamist attacks in Britain. They were Fishmonger’s Hall in 2019 and London Bridge in 2017, in both cases the attackers were shot dead, with the fake devices cobbled together by the terrorists.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: “Israel grieves with the Jewish community in the UK after the barbaric terror attack in Manchester.

“Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded.

“As I warned at the UN: weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism.

“Only strength and unity can defeat it.”

Police have asked organisers to postpone a mass protest against the ban on Palestine Action so resources can be used to protect Jewish and Muslim communities after the terror attack at a Manchester synagogue.

Defend Our Juries, the group which has been organising the protests in London, said it intended to go ahead with its action on Saturday, and it urged the police to focus on protecting those communities fearing reprisals or follow-up terror attacks.

“We urge you to choose to prioritise protecting the community, rather than arresting those peacefully holding signs in opposition to the absurd and draconian ban of a domestic direct action group,” Defend Our Juries told the Metropolitan police in a letter of reply

The protest in London on Saturday could set a record for the number of people arrested at a single event of civil disobedience, according to organisers. They said they had received 1,500 pledges to attend the demonstration and risk arrest and were expecting hundreds more to register by the weekend.

A letter sent by the Metropolitan police to Defend Our Juries after the attack in Manchester – in which two members of the Jewish community died and four were left in a serious condition by a man who was shot dead by officers – said the event in London would require “a significant policing plan”.

“Following the horrific and tragic events that have taken place in Manchester this morning, the details of which are still developing, the Met is stepping up reassurance and protective security operations across the capital with a particular focus on London’s Jewish and Muslim communities,” said the letter, which was in the name of deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan.

“However, as you know your previous large-scale events and other concurrent protests place a significant pressure on policing and draw officers away from the communities they serve to be in central London. This means less neighbourhood and response officers in their communities and less officers focusing on serious crimes.”

The Jewish community in Britain has faced “an increase in the climate of intimidation and fear,” Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said.

She told the PA news agency:

I’m absolutely horrified by these attacks. I think it’s a disgusting and vile act.

I cannot imagine how tough it must be for all the people affected. And my condolences go out to the families of the people who’ve lost their lives and those who are so seriously injured.

And one of my core beliefs is that we need to make sure that Britain is a safe country for Jewish people. Many people fled the Holocaust in Europe. They found sanctuary in the UK. We need to make sure that we continue to be a safe place for Jewish people.

And we what we have seen over the last few years, especially since October 7, is an increase in the climate of intimidation and fear, an increase in antisemitism.

Britain must defeat rising antisemitism, Keir Starmer has said.

Giving a statement from 10 Downing Street, he said:

Britain is also a country where Jewish buildings, synagogues, even schools require round the clock protection, where dedicated specialist security is necessary because of the daily threat of antisemitic hatred.

Today’s horrific incident shows why. And while this is not a new hate, this is something Jews have always lived with, we must be clear, it is a hatred that is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it once again.

On behalf of the nation, I want to offer my condolences to the families and victims affected. I want to thank the Greater Manchester police, the first responders and those dedicated security specialists, there is no doubt whatsoever that they have prevented an even greater tragedy, and we thank them for their bravery.

Police Scotland has confirmed it is carrying out additional patrols around synagogues and other Jewish venues as part of their existing policing plan for the Jewish High Holy Days, adding there is no intelligence to suggest any specific similar threat in Scotland.

Assistant chief constable Stuart Houston, lead for Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism in Scotland, said:

Our thoughts are with the Jewish community, the victims, families, and everyone affected by the incident in Manchester.

Following the incident, we are actively communicating with faith leaders and community leaders.

While there is no intelligence to suggest any specific threat in Scotland, I want to take this opportunity to ask the public to remain alert but not alarmed.

Speaking after First Minister’s Questions earlier this afternoon, John Swinney told journalists that safety at places of worship was a “significant concern” and that Police Scotland would work with communities in the aftermath of the incident.

Swinney said:

There is absolutely no place for violence in our society, and there certainly is no place for violence in relation to the Jewish community, particularly people who are engaged in worship at an incredibly sensitive time of the year”.

Individuals must be able to live in safety in our country, and they must be able to worship in safety.

Deputy prime minister and justice secretary David Lammy leaves the Cabinet Office on Whitehall, central London, after a Cobra meeting chaired by prime minister Keir Starmer.

The emergency Cobra meeting is now over and lasted around an hour, BBC News reports.

It was led by prime minister Keir Starmer, with home secretary Shabana Mahmood joining remotely from Manchester.

Crumpsall ward councillors issued a statement earlier today following the attack in north Manchester.

Councillors Nasrin Ali, Jawad Amin and Fiaz Riasat said:

Today, Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, should have been a special time for our Jewish communities - a time of reflection, atonement and peace.

Instead, Crumpsall has been shocked by the horrifying and senseless attack on a place of worship - an act that we condemn in the strongest possible terms.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, along with the entire Jewish community in Manchester and further afield.

We will always stand against hatred and we offer our Jewish friends solidarity and our full support at this time.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood will join the Cobra meeting led by Keir Starmer in response to the attack in Crumpsall remotely from Greater Manchester, it is understood.

Mahmood travelled to Greater Manchester Police headquarters on Thursday afternoon for an operational update and to show her support to officers.

She has also spoken with the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, as well as with Jewish community leaders, including Marc Levy of the Jewish Leadership Council and Mark Gardner, CST chief executive, to offer any support needed.

The number of antisemitic incidents in the UK since the 7 October Hamas attacks and the Gaza war has more than doubled.

Here is a graph that shows that while attacks against Muslims remain the higher figure, incidents against Jewish people have significantly increased over the past two years.

Both Manchester football clubs have released brief statements.

Manchester United said:

The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with the victims of today’s tragic events in north Manchester and we offer our support to all those affected. #ACityUnited.

And Manchester City said:

We are shocked and saddened by the tragic events which took place in Manchester this morning, and we are sending our support and condolences to all those affected during this difficult time.

A bomb disposal robot works by the body of the attacker, not visible in this image, after the man was seen wearing a vest that resembled as explosive device.

The North West Ambulance Service issued a new statement after police confirmed two Jewish people had died as a result of the attack.

A spokesperson said:

We are deeply saddened by the loss of life as a result of the horrific incident on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, this morning, and our condolences go out to all the victims, their families, and the broader Jewish Community across the north-west.

Our crews assessed and treated patients at the scene and took four patients to local hospitals. We can confirm that ambulances remain on scene to support the incident response.

We would like to thank our frontline colleagues and emergency responders for their professionalism and dedication in such challenging circumstances.

While there has been no impact on the ability to provide emergency care to the wider community as a result of this incident, we would like to remind people only to call 999 in an emergency. NHS 111 online is available for non-urgent health advice.

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA), which runs Salford Royal, the Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary, said its sites and services are open as normal.

“Patients should attend for their treatment and appointments as planned unless told otherwise by the service they are attending,” it said on X at 3.31pm.

It comes after the Manchester Evening News reported an internal note from the trust, seen by reporters, which said the hospitals were in lockdown.

Watson says the attacker was unable to gain access to the synagogue and that people sheltered inside until it was safe to exit.

He is thanking the public for calling the police and alerting officers as to what was happening this morning.

Watson wraps up the press conference by saying the day’s events will have a “significant impact” across all communities up and down the country.

However, he says it will take time to answer all questions. “There are grieving families and communities at the heart of this in Greater Manchester and beyond,” Watson adds, as he appeals for people not to share images and videos online.

Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen has briefly commented on the attack in Manchester at a press conference.

She says:

First of all, let me start by expressing my deepest sympathy to the British people and to the Jewish community and to our friend Keir Starmer, who had to leave the summit today.

The incident in Manchester is terrible and horrifying and my thoughts are with the affected families in these difficult times.

The prime minister Keir Starmer has just arrived back at Downing Street after flying home this morning.

He flew home early from a summit of European leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark, to chair a meeting of the government’s emergency committee.

The prime minister was seen walking in the front entrance of No 10, followed shortly after by national security adviser Jonathan Powell.

A witness told BBC Radio Manchester he saw the armed police officers shoot the suspect twice, once after he tried to get back up off the ground.

The speaker, named as Gareth, told the station that he was driving in the area making deliveries when he saw what he thought initially was a car crash.

He said:

We got a bit closer, we’ve seen a guy bleeding out on the floor. He was just basically unconscious on the floor, presumed, obviously dead.

There was a guy in front of the car - he just lay on the floor. We couldn’t really see him.

There was a few people stood on the road, somebody shouted ‘He’s in the school’ or the synagogue.

And then as we looked over, the guy had a knife, and he was just stabbing the window trying to get in … And then within seconds, the police arrived.

They give him a couple of warnings, he didn’t listen, so they opened fire. He went down on the floor, and then he started getting back up, and then they shot him again.

A distinctive blue and white helicopter has been seen flying over Crumpsall in Manchester today.

It has been identified as an AS365N3 Dauphin used by the SAS Blue Thunder rapid reaction counter terror unit, based at Credenhill, Herefordshire.

Investigators say there is no sign of an immediate ongoing threat to the public, so the presence of the airborne commandos is likely to be simply precautionary.

Aldworth also outlined what the police’s priorities will regarding the attack at a synagogue in Manchester.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he said that there will be three main priorities for the police, the first being to “manage” what has happened and is happening at the scene of the incident.

The second will be to investigate their own use of lethal force, which he said is “always taken very seriously”.

Thirdly, they will be trying to work out whether the suspect was working alone or as part of a wider network, and whether there is “any other enduring threat across the UK”.

A former national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, Nick Aldworth, has said he is “not surprised” about the attack at the synagogue on Yom Kippur, because holy days “bring an additional element of concern”.

He told BBC Radio 4:

I’m not surprised that it’s happened. Yesterday, when I was driving home, there was a feature on Radio 4, which mentioned that today was Yom Kippur - I’d forgotten. My immediate thought was ‘oh, gosh, I hope nothing awful happens’.

And the reason I say that is because, for years, we’ve recognised that high holy days bring an additional element of concern to the Jewish community and to those of us who have been tasked with protecting those communities.

And certainly in London I used to be responsible for a massive operation, probably the second biggest operation to New Year’s or Notting Hill Carnival, to actually protect those communities across the high holy day period.

So I know the same is reflected in Manchester, which may well account for why there’s been such a quick response up there today. But no, I’m not surprised.

He added that, while the UK’s threat level is currently at “substantial”, meaning an attack is likely, in fact “we often see sectors of our communities being at higher threat levels, and quite often the Jewish community sits at a higher threat level than substantial”.

Party leaders condemn attack on Manchester Synagogue on Yom Kippur. Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch, Ed Davey and Nigel Farage express sympathy.

Related: Party leaders condemn attack on Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur

The Prince and Princess of Wales said in a personal message posted on social media: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the families of the terrible attack at Heaton Park Synagogue.

“The fact that this tragedy occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more shocking.

“We are thinking of the entire community as well as the emergency responders who attended this terrible incident.”

The message was signed “W & C”.

Police have carried out a controlled explosion of the suspect’s car.

A police source confirmed that other arrests had taken place - but could not say how many.

More policing activity is ongoing in the area, they said.

The prime minister has arrived back in the UK to chair a Cobra meeting following the attack in Greater Manchester.

Keir Starmer landed back in the UK at around 2.30pm, and will return to Downing Street before chairing the meeting. He had been attending a European summit in Denmark when the incident occurred.

The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Dr David Walker, has said it is important not to allow rhetoric “get ahead of our humanity” as he responded to the attack at a synagogue in his diocese.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World At One, he said: “It’s really important that we recognise the power of our words, and that we that we don’t allow our rhetoric to get ahead of our humanity.”

Asked whether he thinks that has been happening in political discussions lately, he said: “I think it’s been happening. It’s not a phenomenon restricted to United Kingdom, I think it’s across the world.

“The fact that it was such a stark contrast when the wife of a man murdered in the USA a couple of weeks ago actually came out and said hate is not the answer, love is the answer, even to the extent that she would forgive the perpetrator...

“I mean, that was a remarkable statement, but it was remarkable partly because it contrasts so much with the rhetoric that we that we’re getting in the USA and elsewhere: a rising tide of, often political leaders or aspiring political leaders for whom division is a useful tool to play.

“And I hope that this event just makes it more clear than ever that that is not the way for a mature society to go.”

He said that he hopes the attack on the synagogue will “cause us all to take careful stock of who we are and what we are and what sort of society we want to be, and that short-term political gain is no excuse for long-term damage to the fabric of our communities”.

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: “We can confirm three people have died, including the offender, who was shot by GMP Firearms officers.”

The statement said: “In response to today’s major incident in Crumpsall, a loud noise was heard at the scene as specialist resources gained entry to the suspect’s vehicle as a precaution.

“There is no risk to the public and ongoing activity in relation to this major incident can be expected as we continue our enquiries.

“People are urged to avoid the area and speak to our officers if they have any concerns. We have officers deployed across key sites in the local area.

“We can confirm three people have died, including the offender, who was shot by GMP Firearms officers.

“If you are worried about family or friends who may be involved in today’s incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, you can call the Casualty Bureau on 0800 056 0154 or complete the online form here: Public Portal”

The prime minister will chair a meeting of the emergency COBR (Cobra) committee in the next couple of hours, the BBC reports.

BBC political editor Chris Mason said home secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to join the meeting, alongside Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and senior police officers.

“The scale and severity of the attack this morning became apparent very quickly, given the speed of the PM’s decision to immediately return from the meeting of the European Political Community in Denmark’s capital Copenhagen.

“I’m told Keir Starmer was briefed on events in Manchester and has since said he spoke to Burnham and to Mark Gardiner of the Community Security Trust, which works to protect the Jewish community,” he wrote on the BBC website.

A man who lives on White House Avenue close to the synagogue said he saw two men in handcuffs being led away by police.

The man, who did not want to be identified, told the PA news agency: “They’ve arrested two people on our road.”

He said he did not know the men, or which house they were linked to.

“They’ve closed the road and there’s a police helicopter just over us. There were six or seven police cars with armed police,” he added.

He said White House Avenue is a no-through road and is usually “very quiet”.

The co-chairman of the British Muslim Network Imam Qari Asim said he was “horrified” by an attack which was “utterly abhorrent and has no place in our society”.

He said:

My thoughts are with the victims, their families and British Jewish community, who are understandably shaken and hurt.

This act of violence is utterly abhorrent and has no place in our society. Places of worship must always be sanctuaries of peace and safety - not scenes of fear and hatred.

We cannot ignore the growing tide of religious hatred in our country. Whether it is Islamophobia, antisemitism or any form of bigotry, we must confront it together - with unity and courage, not silence. As a British Muslim leader, let me be clear - antisemitism in all its forms is totally unacceptable.

The bloodshed and violence in the Middle East - which is excruciatingly painful to witness for all of us - must not be allowed to poison our streets in Britain. We must never let pain abroad be used to justify hatred and violence against anyone at home. British Jews, British Muslims and all communities must be able to live together without violence, intimidation and the fear of being targeted because of their faith.

Together, we must reject hatred, resist division and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, human dignity and co-existence. We ask all communities to remain vigilant and supportive, in particular around places of worship. This is a moment for all communities to come together and build a future rooted in respect, understanding and shared values.

A bomb disposal unit was sent to the scene after footage shared on social media appeared to show members of the public shouting to firearms officers that the suspect had a bomb strapped to him.

Labour MP Graham Stringer has said there is a Jewish school with “heavy security” near the synagogue that has been attacked in Manchester.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One, the Blackley and Middleton South MP said he thinks it is “depressing” and “appalling” that it is felt those children are under such a threat that security has to be paid for at their school.

He added that despite an increase in attacks on Jewish people, that “shouldn’t distort the fact that actually the vast majority of people in the Jewish community, the Muslim community, other communities, there is a real level of tolerance and a determination to get along with each other”.

He insisted there is a “determination between the communities to not let those extremist, evil people wind things up”.

Stringer also said he is “particularly upset” by an attack on the synagogue, which is in his constituency, because he knows some of the congregation “by first name”.

Police move bystanders outside the synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester, as the suspect lies on ground.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has said he is “horrified and appalled” by the synagogue attack today.

In a post on X, he said:

Horrified and appalled by the attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

My thoughts are with the victims, our brave emergency services and the entire Jewish community.

Police appear to be searching a residential property around 500 metres from the synagogue that was attacked this morning.

Officers have cordoned off White House Avenue where a car is police vehicle is parked outside two semi-detached houses, with a police van at the rear end of the cul-de-sac. Two officers are patrolling the small street.

Police have not said whether this activity is linked to the attack but many roads nearby have been blocked off. More police have also now arrived at the scene on blue lights.

Police said on Thursday it had deployed additional officers around synagogues and Jewish community sites in London.

London’s Metropolitan Police said there was no indication of an increased threat to the capital but had taken precautionary measures.

“While there is nothing to suggest an increased threat to London, we have deployed additional resources to the areas around synagogues, other Jewish community venues and in those boroughs with significant Jewish populations,” it said in a post on X.

A loud controlled explosion has just been heard at the police cordon in Crumpsall, BBC News has reported.

The bomb disposal unit are at the scene, with armed forces pictured operating a bomb disposal robot earlier today.

A woman who lives opposite the synagogue said she heard four loud noises at around 9.30am before the area was teeming with armed police, ambulances and fire engines.

Fran Barrie, 75, said:

At about half 9 I heard this big bang and that’s when it al happened. There was about four loud noises. It might have been the police shooting at the guy but about 15 minutes later there was armed police, fire engines, everything.

Barrie and her friend Joyce Goldstone, 78, said they were told by police they had to go to the back of their building because of their large glass windows at the front.

Shortly after, police returned and told them to evacuate but did not say why.

As they were led out of the cordon, they saw the army bomb disposal unit and a bomb disposal robot. Police later moved the cordon further back down the road.

“I’m shaken up,” said Goldstone. “We’ve never had any animosity here. Whenever there was riots all over the police there was nothing like that here. I was born Catholic and my husband is Jewish - we all have the same 10 commandments so we can’t we all get along”.

Barrie added:

You don’t do this in a civilised society and it’s not helping any cause.

In a statement, Mike Peake, chair of the Greater Manchester Police Federation, praised the bravery of officers.

He said:

First and foremost our thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the horrific events this morning and we wish well to those still injured.

The bravery of our colleagues involved in this incident - running towards extreme danger and dealing with an extreme threat - is to be commended.

We can rightly be proud of our emergency services today. They are the best of the best in the most tragic of circumstances.

Greater Manchester Police Federation are offering all colleagues involved our full support.

The British Muslim Trust, the government’s new Islamophobia monitoring partner, has condemned the Manchester synagogue attack as “utterly abhorrent” and said it stands with the Jewish community.

British Muslim Trust CEO Akeela Ahmed said:

The attack in Manchester this morning is shocking and utterly abhorrent, and to commit these acts on Yom Kippur is sickening. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life, and our thoughts and best wishes go to all those affected.

There is never, and can never be any place for this sort of despicable, cowardly violence in our society. The British Muslim Trust stands with all victims of hate, and in particular today with the Jewish community, the people of Manchester and the Community Security Trust.

We utterly condemn this disgraceful attack and offer our support to those left to pick up the pieces. Finally, in worrying times like these we ask Muslims and all communities to look out for each other and remain vigilant. We know there are some who will seek to exploit this violence to deepen the division they seek - we must not let them.

The leader of Manchester City Council has said Manchester “stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments”.

In a statement, councillor Bev Craig said:

We are all horrified by this shocking and reprehensible attack on members of Manchester’s Jewish community, on their holiest day.

Our thoughts are with those who have been killed and seriously injured, their loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by this awful incident.

We have been supporting our local community throughout the morning and offer our full support and love.

We will be working with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and our local communities in the hours ahead to offer support and reassurance.

Manchester stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments and will come together as a city.

Yom Kippur, or the ‘Day of Atonement’, is the most sacred and solemn day in the Jewish calendar.

Many Jews attend the synagogue where they pray throughout the day. The day’s main observances consist of full fasting, asceticism and extended prayer services.

It is one of the two High Holy Days, or Days of Awe, alongside Rosh Hashanah, which falls nine days previously.

It is a day about people repenting, putting things right with God through prayer and sacrifice. Yom Kippur is a day to reflect on the past year and ask God’s forgiveness for any sins.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said of today’s attack: “The fact that this has taken place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific.”

NHS Greater Manchester is advising people to only attend accident and emergency (A&E) departments if it is “urgent or life-threatening”.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Manchester said:

We are aware of the incident currently unfolding in Crumpsall and are actively supporting the multi-agency response led by Greater Manchester Police and other emergency services.

Our priority is to ensure the safety and care of patients and staff across the region, and we are working closely with partners to manage any impact on local hospitals and emergency departments.

We urge the public to only attend accident and emergency (A&E) departments if your condition is urgent or life-threatening. This will help us prioritise care for those most in need and ensure emergency teams can respond effectively to this incident.

If you are unsure about which service to use, please contact NHS 111 online or by phone for guidance.

Here are some more pictures from the scene this morning:

Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, said on X:

Horrifying news out of Crumpsall this morning following a major incident. I want to thank the police for swift action.

Praying for the whole community on this holy day.

Violence is never the answer and Manchester must stand together against these actions.

A number of hospitals in Greater Manchester were placed in “lockdown” following the incident at the synagogue in Crumpsall, it has been reported.

An internal note shared by the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust and seen by the Manchester Evening News (MEN) said all of its sites “have been asked to immediately lock down” following the declaration of a major incident.

“We have been informed that emergency services are at the scene of an incident within Manchester. We will share further details as these become available,” the note added.

NCA hospitals include Salford Royal, Fairfield General, Rochdale Infirmary and the Royal Oldham.

However, the MEN reported at 12.40pm that the lockdown has since been lifted.

Images are now starting to emerge of members of north Manchester’s Jewish community gathering outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Middleton Road, Crumpsall.

Rabbi Jonathan Romain, emeritus rabbi of Maidenhead Synagogue, told the PA news agency he felt “appalled” by the attack in Manchester.

He said:

This is every Rabbi’s or every Jewish person’s worst nightmare.

Not only is this a sacred day, the most sacred in the Jewish calendar, but it’s also a time of mass gathering, and the time when the Jewish community, however religious or irreligious, gathers together.

He said it appears tensions over the war in Gaza had “spilled over” to the UK, despite efforts to stop that happening.

He told PA:

The real tragedy is, of course that the war in Gaza, which is tragic in itself, has sort of spilled over into the United Kingdom.

For the last two years, we were desperately trying to make sure that whatever was going on in the Middle East was not imported here. This has shown that our worst fears have been realised.

This will obviously heighten the fears that many Jews have had, that political violence would spill over into religious hatred.

Counter-terror police are searching houses on White House Avenue, near to the synagogue in Crumpsall, the Manchester Evening News (MEN) has reported.

Meanwhile, witnesses are said to have seen a car driving erratically before a man got out and started attacking people with a knife. When it became clear what was happening, members of the congregation are said to have blockaded the doors to the synagogue.

Members of the community are handing out blankets to a number of people who rushed to the scene when they heard what was happening. As more details have emerged, many said they are too upset to speak.

Chava Lewin – who describes herself as a religious Jew and lives next door to the synagogue – told the MEN:

I was outside and heard a banging sound and I thought it might be a firework. My husband went outside and then ran back inside and said, ‘there’s been a terrorist attack.’

I spoke to someone who said she was driving and saw a car driving erratically and it crashed into the gates [of the synagogue].

She thought maybe he had a heart attack. The second he got out of the car he started stabbing anyone near him. He went for the security guard and tried to break into the synagogue. He was in the courtyard.

Someone barricaded the door. Everyone is in utter shock.

Here is a photo of the bomb disposal robot arriving at the scene, as members of the armed forces seek to establish whether the attacker has a “viable” device on their person.

Police have issued a statement aimed at reassuring Greater Manchester’s Jewish community, while urging people not to share images or videos on social media.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said:

We know today’s horrifying attack, on the Jewish community’s holiest day, will have caused significant shock and fear throughout all of our communities.

We are grateful to the member of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue.

We remain in direct contact with all synagogues across Greater Manchester to provide reassurance and this will continue for as long as needed.

We will continue to provide updates as we can, but I would ask anyone who believes they may have a loved one involved in today’s incident, please use the Casualty Bureau information in the first instance.

I would further ask anyone who may have images or footage relating to today’s incident, refrains from circulating them on social media – please do share directly with GMP through www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk.”

The body of the suspect remains at the scene as police try and establish whether he was wearing a viable explosive device, it is understood.

While officers believe the attack was executed alone - using a car, knife or machete, and potentially a bomb - one line of inquiry will explore whether the suspect was helped in the planning.

The attack, taking place at Yom Kippur and timed as members of the community were on their way in to morning worship, does not appear to be random to investigators.

The heightened sense of threat in the area, approaching the 7 October anniversary, and the close collaboration between the community, security organisations and the police, meant firearms officers were on the scene within minutes.

The Israeli embassy condemned the incident in Greater Manchester, describing it as “abhorrent and deeply distressing”.

A statement released by the embassy said:

The embassy of Israel in the United Kingdom condemn the attack carried out today on Yom Kippur at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.

That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and community, is abhorrent and deeply distressing.

The embassy is in close contact with Manchester Jewish community, British authorities and the Community Security Trust (CST) to monitor developments, and ensure that the necessary support is provided.

We thank the Greater Manchester Police for their swift response. The safety and security of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom must be guaranteed.

The thoughts and prayers of the people of Israel are with the victims, their families and the entire Jewish community at this difficult time.

King Charles said he and the Queen were “deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community”.

He said:

My wife and I have been deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.

Police also confirmed that a large number of people worshipping at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at the time of the incident were held inside “while the immediate area was made safe but have since been evacuated”.

The attacker did not make it inside the building.

Members of the Jewish community at one end of the police cordon were suddenly moved back without explanation around half an hour ago, as speculation spread locally that the attacker was wearing a suspected explosive device.

That detail has now been confirmed by Greater Manchester Police, which has said the bomb disposal unit are assessing a contraption on the attacker, who is believed to be dead and is still at the scene.

The nature of the target and attack led to increases in security away from Manchester.

In London, home to a significant part of Britain’s Jewish community, the Metropolitan police has increased patrols around Jewish religious and cultural sites, a source said, as a precaution.

A number of armed officers that appear to be counter-terror police have been seen walking towards the synagogue.

Although the immediate response to the incident appears to be over, it remains an active emergency scene with a lot of activity.

MP for Blackley and Middleton South Graham Stringer said “we have to make sure these evil people do not damage our community” after the incident at a synagogue in his constituency.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Stringer said:

The area … is a very large Jewish community next to a very large Muslim community, and by and large community relations are excellent between all the different ethnic groups and religious groups, but there are always extreme people who want to damage those relationships and want to, in this case, damage Jews and the Jewish community.

He reflected on the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 and said:

Everybody got together because it’s not enough just to say we’re tolerant and we want better relations.

We have to work at it and we have to make sure these evil people do not damage our community, which is comprised of many different kinds of religious beliefs and ethnic backgrounds.

Stringer added:

The relationships between the Jewish community and the Greater Manchester Police are very good and they work at it. But the sad thing is, if you’ve got an evil, violent person with a car and a knife, it is very difficult to ensure that everybody is secure in that situation.

Here is a graphic, which shows the location of this morning’s attack:

Armed police officers wearing face coverings have just driven out of the police cordon on blue lights.

A police helicopter remains overhead, while two other blue unmarked helicopters have just landed behind the synagogue.

Every synagogue in Greater Manchester has boosted security and several Greater Manchester hospitals - Salford Royal Hospital, Fairfield General and the Royal Oldham Hospital - have gone into lockdown, following reports that the suspect was carrying a bomb.

However members of the local Jewish community have continued to gather at the scene.

The shadow home secretary Chris Philp said he was “appalled” by the attack.

In a statement, the Conservative shadow minister said:

This is a sickening attack on people at a synagogue on Middleton Road in Manchester - on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the whole Jewish community here in the UK.

I know everyone will want to support the emergency services in their work.

I am appalled not only by this brutal attack, but also by the evil that lies behind it.

Kemi Badenoch has described the incident in Greater Manchester as a “vile and disgusting attack”.

The Conservative leader told BBC Radio Bristol:

It does look like an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day, Yom Kippur.

I think it is a vile and disgusting attack. I know that many Jewish people in our country feel that they’re no longer safe and my heart goes out to the people who have been hurt by this, and everyone who’s been affected.

She added:

I want to say to Jewish people all around our country that you belong here. Britain is a country which will look after you.

We need to make sure that the rise in antisemitism that we’re seeing in our country is quelled completely.

The reported stabbings come as members of the Jewish community observe Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and is a time when synagogues are usually particularly busy.

Dave Rich, of the Community Security Trust (CST) - a charity that monitors antisemitism in the UK, said the day is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.

He said:

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year.

It’s a very solemn day and synagogues across the country will be full throughout the day.

There’s always a significant security operation in place between police and CST across the Jewish community on all major Jewish festivals.

Here are some more pictures coming out of the scene in Crumpsall, north Manchester, this morning:

A bomb disposal unit is at the scene and it is understood that hospitals in the area have heightened security measures.

Meanwhile, two air ambulances have just left the scene behind the synagogue.

Many distressed relatives and friends of those inside the building are gathering at the police cordon, anxious for news about those injured.

In a statement posted on X, home secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified” by the incident and is being updated by police.

She said:

I am horrified by the news of an attack at a synagogue in Manchester today, on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

My first thoughts are with the victims, our brave police and emergency services.

I am being kept updated by Greater Manchester Police. I urge people to follow the advice of the emergency services.

A woman who lives nearby said she has family and friends and the synagogue and rushed out as soon as she heard the police helicopter.

“I’m absolutely distraught,” said Olivia Gold, 57. “It’s Jewish new year as well and this is the holiest day in the calendar - maybe that’s why [the attack happened]. It would’ve been very busy, mainly with the men doing the service. It’s a big shul.”

She added:

This will be devastating for a long time. I just wish they would leave us alone. We’re a quiet community. It’s just horrendous. We don’t harm anybody, we don’t force our views on anybody.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said one victim appeared to be a security guard who had been attacked with a knife.

He said: “It would seem that some of the security used by our colleagues in the Jewish community has really played a role here in preventing it being a worse situation.”

The area around the synagogue in Crumpsall, north of Manchester, has been swamped by dozens of police vehicles, along with fire and ambulance crews, while the force helicopter hovers overhead.

Streets surrounding the synagogue has been cordoned off with more police cars and vans, sirens blaring, racing down neighbouring roads, PA reports.

Police officers dressed in black combat fatigues and carrying machine guns could also be seen inside the cordon outside the synagogue.

A Jewish man, among a group of shocked onlookers at the cordon, said his wife and daughter and other members of the congregation were still inside the synagogue.

A number of black, unmarked police 4x4 vehicles and vans carrying plain clothes officers with face coverings were seen leaving the area of the incident at speed.

A Jewish man said:

It is the holiest day of the year and we get this.

There is no place for Jews in Britain anymore. It’s over.

Video shared on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone laying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue.

The armed officers shouted at onlookers to “get back” and “move on”.

The person on the ground is seen starting to get up before there is the sound of a gunshot and they fall to the ground, PA reports.

Another person was shown lying motionless on the ground outside the synagogue gates with blood near their head.

The attack was branded an “appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year” by the Community Security Trust (CST).

The organisation, which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said:

CST is working with police and the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester.

This appears to be an appalling attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year.

We thank the GMP officers and synagogue security who responded immediately to deal with the incident.

A woman whose husband was inside the synagogue said she was “sick” with worry as they have been unable to make contact with him since the attack, which happened shortly after 9.30am.

“I’m sick,” she said at the police cordon where there was a huge number of emergency service personnel and a police helicopter overhead.

“We’re just waiting for news. I’ve not even got dressed yet, I just ran out in my pyjamas.”

The woman, who did not want to be identified, went to the synagogue at about 9.15am to celebrate Yom Kippur, the “holiest day of the year” for Jewish people, she said.

Her son, who also did not want to be named, said: “We don’t know anything. There’s rumours of a car ramming, a stabbing and a gunshot. It’s terrifying. We’re distraught.”

At least two ambulances were at the scene along with two fire engines and a large number of police vehicles, including several unmarked, while a police helicopter flew overhead.

Members of the Jewish community security trust were manning the police cordon.

Here are some of the first images we are seeing come through from what has been declared a “major incident” in Crumpsall, north Manchester: